Misbourne
Symphony
Orchestra
Conductor: Richard Jacklin Leader: Alan Morris
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 8pm Saturday 12th July 2008 - Tom Corbin
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| The programme began with Humperdinck's "Hänsel und Gretel" Prelude, which saw conductor Richard Jacklin drawing a lucid and balanced interpretation from the orchestra, subtly emphasising the piece's textures and thematic elements. The prominent contribution from the horns (a typically Wagnerian element in a piece too often dismissed as 'Wagner lite') was particularly pleasing in its clean execution. This was followed by a performance of 'Lento', Howard Skempton's lyrical exercise in musical simplicity, and it's a testament to the Orchestra's standing that this well-known and widely-recorded composer attended the performance in person, introducing the piece and chatting to the audience informally during the interval.
The first half closed with a revelatory performance of Handel's Harp Concerto in B Flat (better known in its later version for organ) featuring Zahava Lever, whose prodigious maturity and intuitive command of her instrument would be truly impressive in any soloist, let alone one still in her teens. Hers will be a career to watch. The ambitious second half featured a highly successful performance of Shostakovich's enigmatic and complex fifth symphony; Jacklin's confident enthusiasm in guiding the Orchestra through the work's numerous themes, moods, and tempo changes produced a splendidly musical result - qualities which will no doubt be in evidence again at the Orchestra's annual concert of film music on November 15 (with popular piano soloist Viv McLean), which will include music from Pirates of the Caribbean, The Fellowship of the Ring and many other favourites. |
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8pm Saturday 10th February 2007 - Roger Thomas
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| Many orchestras persuade well-known individuals to lend their endorsement, but all too often this goes no further than having a famous name on the orchestra's letterhead. It's a testament to both the support of world-class violinist and Deutsche Grammophon recording artist Peter Hanson and the high standard of the Misbourne Symphony Orchestra that as well as holding the position of President he works regularly with the Orchestra as a soloist. His latest performance was of Bruch's much-loved Violin Concerto, which he conveyed in a style which perfectly reflected the benignly retrospective approach of the piece, balancing the work's animated melodies with careful dynamics and a round, full instrumental tone. The Concerto was preceded by Wagner's 'Flying Dutchman' overture, a piece which demands tight sectional entrances as well as confidence in the many exposed passages, both of which the Orchestra handled with aplomb. The second half was devoted to Dvorak's Symphony No.8, an extrovert, spirited and musically generous work which the Orchestra played with obvious relish and which was, commendably, as well-received by the audience as the concerto which had preceded it. | |
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8pm Saturday 11th November 2006 - Roger Thomas
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| The Misbourne Symphony Orchestra's first ever concert devoted entirely to film music, programmed and introduced by conductor Richard Jacklin, attracted an enthusiastic capacity audience. The performance presented many different styles of music from a range of popular films, ranging from the dramatic themes from 'Jurassic Park', 'The Big Country' and 'Gladiator' (one of the highlights of the evening, being perfectly controlled by the conductor and giving all the sections of the orchestra the opportunity to demonstrate their capability to good effect) to the gentler, more poignant music from 'Schindler's List', 'The Deer Hunter' and 'The Mission'. The first half was rounded off by the theme from 'Monte Carlo or Bust' by Ron Goodwin, a hilarious romp of a piece which the orchestra delivered with considerable panache. After the interval Alexander Ardakov was the soloist in Rachmaninov's second piano concerto, continuing the film theme as this piece was used as the soundtrack for the classic 1945 film 'Brief Encounter'. This was a most enjoyable evening and a good showcase for the MSO, particularly the wide range of dynamics that the programme required. The Orchestra's next concert is on 10 February, when Peter Hanson will be playing Bruch's first violin concerto. | |
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8pm Saturday 11th November 2000
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| Crown Imperial | Walton |
| Piano Concerto in A major, K488 | Mozart |
| Symphony No.6 in B minor, Op.75 "Pathetique" | Tchaikovsky |
| Bucks Examiner, 24th November 2000 | |
| Crown Imperial warmed them up and then all was well. | |
| Buckinghamshire Advertiser, 15th November 2000 | |
| Young queen of Keyboard | |
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8pm Saturday 17th February 2000
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| Overture "Tannhauser" | Wagner |
| Cello Concerto in E minor, Op.85 | Elgar |
| Symphony No.1 in C minor, Op.68 | Brahms |
| Bucks Examiner, 23rd February 2001 | |
| Emily should be well pleased with her concerto solo debut | |
| Buckinghamshire Advertiser, 21st February 2001 | |
| Fine debut for soloist | |
| Bucks Free Press, 2nd March 2001 | |
8pm Saturday 12th May 2001
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| Overture "Barber of Seville" | Rossini |
| Violin Concerto in E minor, Op.4 | Mendelssohn |
| Adagio for Strings | Barber |
| Symphony No.1 in C major, Op.21 | Beethoven |
| The Bucks Examiner, 18th May 2001 | |
| A Confidence one rarely hears outside professional orchestras. | |
| The Misbourne Orchestra is supported by Chiltern District Council. We are affiliated to Making Music (the National Federation of Music Societies). The orchestra is a Registered Charity | |