Church resounds to popular
classics
Monday, 29th April 2002
(Article published with kind permission of Northeast Press
Limited,
Sunderland Echo)
Review by Roy Horabin
Guest soloist, Alison Barton (mezzo-soprano)
THE CITY of Sunderland Symphony Orchestra, now in its third
year, emerged successfully from its concert of popular classics with Alison Barton
(mezzo-soprano) as guest soloist.
The West Park Church was tastefully decorated with plants
for the event. Rupert Hanson, taking firm control of the orchestra, instantly inspired
confidence, and during the spirited playing of the overture to Bizet's Carmen an air of
excitement set the mood for the guest soloist's entrance.
Miss Barton surpassed expectations with convincing
interpretations of the Carmen arias Habanera and Seguidilla.
Her attractive voice and dramatic presence certainly won
audience approval.
David McCourt, the orchestra's young leader, displayed
mature musicianship in the haunting violin Thais meditation. He received sympathetic
accompaniment but, at times, tuning was suspect.
Church organist David Mills, also an orchestral member,
displayed his instrument's capabilities in Saint-Saëns' Organ Symphony, The finale, with
its massive opening organ chords, is predominantly in fugal style and ends exultantly.
Glorious organ and orchestral sounds echoed around the church's lofty architecture, but
not always was there clarity of detail.
To begin the second half, the geniality and wit of
Rossini's Barber of Seville overture came across well. The playing was crisp and
rhythmically vibrant.
Alison was once more warmly welcomed, this time for
stylistically different opera excerpts. We heard Olga's aria from Eugene Onegin, sung in
Russian, and Softly Awakes My Heart (Saint-Saëns). Delivered with fervour and conviction,
her performances were perfectly shaped.
The orchestra, having coped with delicate and intricate
accompaniments, came into its own with more familiar classics.
In Schubert's Unfinished Symphony (first movement), I was
impressed with some colourful woodwind sequences. The strings articulated recurring
rhythmic passages with good precision while the brass heightened tension in climaxes. The
lilt of the Blue Danube Waltz and the martial tread of the Radetzky March proved as
popular as ever.
The orchestra can next be heard on Saturday, June 15, in a
night concert at Durham Riverside.
THE CITY OF SUNDERLAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, West Park Church
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