Basingstoke ObserverTHE Farnborough Symphony Orchestra’s fourth and final concert of the centenary season is a glorious celebration of music old and new, a fitting way to crown a superb year of music-making, and mark 100 years of bringing live music to Hampshire and Surrey.
The orchestra is honoured to be welcoming the Mayor of Rushmoor, who will mark the occasion with a short speech commemorating the orchestra’s long history in the region.
Joby Talbot’s powerful and evocative arrangement of Purcell’s Chacony in G Minor opens the evening. Talbot was asked to arrange it to commemorate Benjamin Britten’s earlier arrangement, which the latter wrote for his 50th birthday celebration Prom in 1963.
The familiar theme is beautifully elaborated, making full use of the breadth of the modern orchestra, from delicate woodwind to haunting bells, allowing the FSO to showcase a contemporary British composer whilst paying homage to one of the giants of times gone by.
Mozart’s Symphony No. 35, ‘Haffner’, is a splendid work, originally commissioned to mark the ennoblement of one of the composer’s Salzburg patrons. The celebratory theme is apparent from the dotted rhythms of the opening phrase, through to the fast-paced fanfares of the final movement, with the characteristic joy of Mozartian harmonies throughout, and exactly encapsulates our mood for the evening.
The climax of the evening, and indeed the season itself, is Mahler’s epic first symphony, with its sparkling, folk-like melodies. Scored for a huge orchestra, every section has a chance to shine, with sonorous string motifs, delicate wind themes, vibrant brass fanfares, and vast horn calls. With the ranks of the FSO being swelled by many regular deputies, offstage players, harpist and full percussion section, this is a sight to be seen as well as heard, with the resounding final passage a perfect end to a wonderful year.
Tickets for the Mozart, Mahler and Talbot concert on 11 June at 7.45pm are £13.50 for adults; £6.75 for children or students in full-time education and are available from Princes Hall box office (01252 329155) or online at www.farnboroughsymphony.org.uk/concerts.
