2009 Course

27th October to 31st October 2009

Southwark Cathedral, London

Concert - October 31st 2009

Programme

David Bedford: White Winds, Golden Fields, for Chorus and Orchestra (World Premiere)

Stravinsky: Symphony of Psalms

with Guests - The London Oratory School Schola

Saint-Saens: Organ Symphony - with organist Charles Andrews

Brahms: Academic Festival Overture

FANTASTIC COURSE!

AMAZING CONCERT!

BEAUTIFUL VENUE!

It is extremely doubtful whether the well-worn sporting cliche 'You're only as good as your last match' could ever be applied to musical performances and it probably isn't true anyway. But if it were, then the latest outstanding performance by the English Schools' Orchestra and Choir in their annual concert on 31st October in Southwark Cathedral, would guarantee this magnificent team of singers and orchestral musicians a secure position close to the top of the premier league of youth orchestras.

A capacity audience enjoyed a programme that consisted of music from the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries - the latter represented by a specially commissioned piece by the distinguished composer David Bedford, with funds made available by PRS for Music.

The Orchestra (close on a hundred players and the largest in the English Schools' 15 year existence) opened proceedings with a thrilling performance of Brahms's 'Academic Festival Overture.' Anthony Burton's excellent programme notes referred amongst other things to 'shining trumpets', 'radiant violins', and 'frisky bassoons', all culminating in a full orchestral coda based on a famous 18th century student song 'Gaudeamus igitur' ('So let us rejoice while we are young'). The performance did indeed produce the shining trumpets, radiant violins and frisky bassoons, and the closing bars transmitted the spirit of youthful rejoicing with impressive conviction.

From Brahms to Stravinsky and the 'Symphony of Psalms' with its strange scoring for four-part chorus, 14 wind instruments, 13 brass, cellos and double basses, two pianos, harp and percussion. The Orchestra, now joined by the voices of the excellent London Oratory Schola, seamlessly effected the change from Brahms to the very different 20th century style required for the Stravinsky. The varied moods of the three movements (sometimes prayerful, sometimes exultant,) were compellingly realised by both singers and players in a persuasive performance.

Following the interval, orchestra and choir re-assembled for the exciting first performance of the piece specially commissioned by the English Schools' Orchestra and Choir (including the London Oratory Schola). Written by composer David Bedford in celebration of the Orchestra's 15th birthday, 'White Winds, Golden Fields for Chorus and Orchestra' is a short festive piece with brass fanfares, rich harmonies and mellifluous melodies. Quiet passages lead to big climaxes and the piece ends triumphantly as the choir sings 'And there is beautiful work for us to do, and we shall at last wake into the sun'. The performance was totally compelling and the ensuing ovation from players, singers and audience accorded to David Bedford was richly deserved. This is surely a work that will have many more performances, and deserves to be widely known.

The final work in this splendid concert was the mighty Symphony No. 3 in C minor (Organ Symphony) by Saint-Saens. This is a really challenging work for any youth orchestra, especially the opening movement, but undaunted, the young players set about their task with great aplomb and skill. Technical security and impressive musical assurance were evident from the very first phrase. The expertise of the talented organist Charles Andrews, who unleashed the full power of the Southwark Cathedral organ in the final movement, added to the excitement, and the full spectrum of musical colours in this piece was brilliantly caught in an exhilarating and meticulously moulded performance under the direction of conductor Robert Pepper.

For all the young musicians who took part, this auspicious concert will live long in the memory. Many will look forward with anticipation to next year when the concert moves from London to Symphony Hall Birmingham. As always it is an exciting prospect to savour.

Alan Taylor

Principal sponsors of the ESOC: Harrison Catering Services Ltd, PRS for Music