You can’t get much more of a famous classic than Ravel’s Bolero. It must surely be up there with Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony – in terms of those four instantly recognisable and iconic notes.
However, the Orchestra of St John’s made us wait for the main event, not that we minded as it was the Spanish themed choice of performances that provided the warmth and cheer on Saturday evening.
‘you could have heard a pin drop during the quieter moments’
First up was Sarasate’s Zigeunerweisen Op 20.….Poppy McGhee‘s lead violin capably rising to the challenge that this exacting piece demands – in turns mournful and strutting, slow then fast.
This was followed by the dazzling Spanish guitar skills of another virtuoso player Nathaniel Merkies who led the orchestra through Rodrigo’s Concerto for Aranjuez, conjuring up subtle hints of a Morricone film score – a breath-taking mezzo forte and mezzo piano nuanced piece, enhanced not only by the wonderful acoustics of the Abbey but also by an appreciative audience – you could have heard a pin drop during the quieter moments.
Young Mr Merkies then returned for a moving encore of the Cavatina Theme from the Deer Hunter. Next up was De Falla’s El Amor Brujo, a dramatic piece performed by the orchestra, and soprano Suzie Purkis in the role of Candelas, the young, widowed but uncowed gypsy.
‘Ravel’s Bolero circled and circled, becoming louder and louder until it finally broke out into its demented, clamorous coda’
And so to the main event, from the hushed percussive beginnings, both orchestra and audience slotted in to the dizzyingly hypnotic groove of Ravel’s Bolero that circled and circled, becoming louder and louder until it finally broke out into its demented, clamorous coda.
Conductor and Artistic Director John Lubbock seemed suitably delighted with the evening’s deliverance as he and his orchestra acknowledged a thoroughly deserved standing ovation.
Edward Bliss
For further details on OSJ and their concert programme go to https://www.osj.org.uk/forthcoming-concerts/
The next OSJ concert is Alexander Armstrong with Sue Cook – 7pm LIVE at Sheldonian Theatre in ‘The Music in my Life’ on April 8.
