I am a massive Alexander Armstrong fan and listen to him presenting Classic FM at every opportunity, but I wanted to know more, and the chance to hear his ‘The Music In My Life’ at The Sheldonian accompanied by OSJ‘s extraordinary orchestra was too good to miss.
There was a real hum of anticipation as Armstrong was led on stage alongside his interviewer Sue Cook, the audience keen to find out more about the TV star, comedian, music scholar, former chorister, singer and radio presenter, straight from the horse’s mouth, while discovering some new classics to add to our own repertoires.
So what did we discover? So much! He is obviously a huge family man, his children in the audience, but Sue Cook delved deeper, from the early days of comedy duo Armstrong & Miller, to the limo bike – his method of transport as he’s whisked across London from the Classic FM base to the Pointless studio.
‘it was the music which really revealed who Alexander Armstrong was, and what a stunning stage OSJ provided’
But it was the music which really revealed who Alexander Armstrong was, and what a stunning stage OSJ provided. Take the incredible young pianist Julian Clef, brought in at the last minute, yet playing entirely from memory to the packed audience. You could have beard a pin drop as his fingers worked their way through Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No 2, so calm and focused. Wonderful music.
The complexity and enormous skillset of the soloists continued, Ian Scott excelling in Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet, Bach’s Erbarme Dich sung by mezzo soprano Charlotte Tetley was absolutely beautiful; really moving and powerful.
‘the piece de resistance arrived via Britten’s The Ash Grove which Alexander Armstrong sang himself, a totally unexpected treat’
All the musicians and soloists we enjoyed are so evidently at the top of their field, as we dipped between folk and classical to jazz.
But the piece de resistance arrived via Britten’s The Ash Grove which Alexander Armstrong sang himself, a totally unexpected treat. I had a lump in my throat as his honey tones soothed and smoothed. So talented, he has a delightful singing voice.
I am in awe of OSJ, not only in terms of what they bring to the stage, literally, and their Music for Autism programme, but more than that the audience gets so much from their concerts and you learn about and hear so many different things. It’s totally life enriching. So yes, an absolutely superb evening.
I’m already looking forward to the next Music In My Life concert in December.
To find out more about OSJ or book their next concerts go to https://www.osj.org.uk
Mo Croasdale
