Clare Howick, the leading British violinist who performed Brahms Violin Concerto with SASO on March 9, was ‘completely outstanding’ according to John Manning, music reviewer for the Herts Advertiser:
“Brahms’ Violin Concerto is a huge and powerful work which is demanding for both soloist and orchestra, but neither flagged in the performance. Indeed, Clare Howick’s performance was completely outstanding and the cadenza in the first movement was magnificent.
“Probably the best-known part of the work is the Rondo finale with its dancing conclusion, something conductor Tom Hammond and the orchestra breathed great life into. Clare Howick received tremendous acclaim from the packed audience and was persuaded to give a rare encore in which she performed an Adagio by English composer Gordon Jacob.”
Schubert’s Symphony No 9, ‘The Great’ was also a great musical experience. “The orchestra once more gave a sterling performance of the work, and once more demonstrated how its overall standard is steadily improving.”