Classical favourites
bring delight
Friday 3rd March 2000,
(Article published with kind permission of Northeast Press
Limited,
Sunderland Echo)
Review
CoSMOS Symphony Orchestra
Catriona Logan
SUNDERLAND’S orchestra, the CoSMOS Symphony, chose
classical favourites for its inaugural concert at which Catriona Logan, from Scottish
Opera, was guest soloist.
The concert, at West Park United Reformed Church, was
well-attended, and the audience gave conductor Rupert Hanson and the 60 musicians an
enthusiastic reception.
Fingal’s Cave Overture opened the proceedings.
Mendelssohn’s music, evocative of the surging Atlantic waves and rugged scenic
grandeur, was colourfully and confidently performed.
Miss Logan excelled in operatic gems by Mozart, Rossini and
Puccini, florid passages in Una Poco Fa from the Barber of Seville being beautifully
articulated.
Grieg’s incidental music to Peer Gynt, which reflects
the nature and atmosphere of Nordic Scenery, produced some very expressive playing. The
warm spring tone in Morning and the climactic build up to a blaze of excitement in Hall of
the Mountain King were impressive.
The musicians obviously relished such lollipops as Wedding
March, Sleeping Beauty Waltz and the finale from Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony — as
did their listeners.
This new musical society is to be congratulated on a
remarkable achievement. Also the floral decorations enhanced this special occasion.
The next concert is at Sunderland Empire Theatre on
Wednesday, September 27.
Roy Horabin
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