Trowbridge Symphony Orchestra
Titans of Austria - Holy Trinity Church,
Bradford-on-Avon - 7th July
While the rest of the country was celebrating England's victory over Sweden on Saturday, the
Trowbridge Symphony Orchestra took over the Holy Trinity Church in Bradford-on-Avon to pay
tribute to something quite different.
Three of the biggest names in classical music to come out of Austria, to be precise. A stunning
programme of Strauss, Mozart and Mahler lay in store for the audience.
First, the Overture of The Magic Flute, the last opera Mozart wrote before his death. Here, the
orchestra in its entirety successfully emulated the composer's blend of fantasy, comedy and
tragedy, almost leaving the audience wanting to hear the rest of the opera afterwards.
But instead, the second section was left in the capable hands and incomparable voice of the
singularly-gifted soprano soloist Siân Dicker with Richard Strauss' The Last Four Songs.
Simply exquisite. The flawless capture of the melancholy and romance in each song was
undeniable, all within Dicker's glittering vibrato voice. With their largest orchestra to date --
70-something musicians -- Dicker would have been forgiven for being dominated by the sounds
around her. But instead, she took each song and made it her own.
Commendation should go to the command, control and clarity of conductor Phil Draisey, who
almost became the eponymous Titan in his fierce direction of the final part of the concert --
Mahler's 1st Symphony (The Titan). And in the composer's 158th birthday, no less.
In this section, the entire orchestra shone as they captured the essence and emotion in every
movement, from the natural tranquility and simmering rage at the beginning to the chaos and
devastation for the finale. With crescendo after crescendo, it was impossible not to be
entertained.
The strings, percussion and brass sections deserve great commendation. In particular, all the
French Horn players, timpanist Daniel Watt and harpist Ben Creighton Griffiths. Each are a
credit to their instrument and their craft in helping bring together the mesmerising performance.
As ever, under the master leadership of conductor Draisey and leader Carmen Tunney, the
Trowbridge Symphony Orchestra delivered another extraordinary performance that will keep us
looking forward to their next concert.
Dale Hurst
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