MOZART-
The London Mozart Players Wind Quintet made a welcome return
visit to Burgh church last Wednesday to present a varied programme
of music which gave chance to hear solo as well as collective pieces
by Helen Keen, Christopher O'Neal, Angela Malsbury, Richard Skinner
and Christopher Newport.
The programme opened with music by Danzi specially
written for a Quintet which gave opportunity to hear the flute, oboe
and horn which at times took precedence over the other instruments.
Debussy's Syrinx gave opportunity to fully appreciate flautist Helen
Keen who beautifully captured this evocative piece.
Dvorak's Slavonic Dance was brilliantly orchestrated and captured perfectly
the Czech dance rhythms.
The first half came to a close with Ibert's Trois Pieces Breves, these
short pieces showed off the capabilities of the flute and clarinet.
The second half opened with Bizet's Jeux d'enfants
which showed the brilliance of the performers and their instruments
and culminated with a dazzling flourish. Milhaud Suite for Oboe Clarinet
and Bassoon gave us chance to fully appreciate the talents of Christopher
O'Neal, Angela Malsbury and Richard Skinner. There were times when the
music galloped along at a great rate of knots and the finale of this
piece imitated a flock of birds in flight.
The programme ended with a nautical flavour with
three Sea Shanties by Arnold which featured syncopated rhythms and lilting
melodies.
A fitting finale to an exciting evening of music and the well deserved
applause culminated with an encore The Horn Concerto by Mozart
(made popular by Flanders and Swan) which is appropriate for Mozart
Players.
