Alison Bellerby
Author's posts
Bjorn Bantock leaving SASO after five years at the helm
St Albans Symphony Orchestra (SASO) is preparing to appoint a new principal conductor, following a decision by Bjorn Bantock to step down next month after five years at the helm. Bjorn, 42, is credited with achieving an all-round improvement in the orchestra’s playing standards, attracting talented new players and drawing audience and critical approval for …
Orchestra’s all-Scandinavian Success Story
Geoff Ward, writing in the Herts Advertiser, suggests that SASO has “improved immeasurably under their dynamic conductor, Bjorn Bantock” St Albans Symphony Orchestra presented an all-Scandinavian programme in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the births of Jean Sibelius and Carl Nielsen at St Saviour’s Church. The concert began with the popular Karelia Suite, which …
Vacancy for a Principal Conductor
Bjorn Bantock will be leaving St Albans Symphony Orchestra at the end of its 2014/15 season, creating a vacancy for a Principal Conductor. The orchestra, which brings together amateur and semi-professional players, welcomes applications for the post from experienced and inspiring musicians whose leadership will maintain and surpass its current high standards of performance. A …
Orchestra’s “all-Scandinavian success story”
Herts Advertiser critic, Geoff Ward reviewing SASO’s May 9th concert writes that the orchestra has “improved immeasurably under their dynamic conductor, Bjorn Bantock” “The concert began with the popular Karelia Suite, which was Sibelius’s first commission for nationalist music. This was a very satisfying performance, especially by the brass section. There was a nice cor …
Grieg, Sibelius and Nielsen lead SASO’s Nordic spring celebration
Edvard Grieg’s Piano Concerto – popular even before Morecambe and Wise hilariously put “the right notes in the wrong order” – will provide the centrepiece of the St Albans Symphony Orchestra’s spring concert on Saturday May 9th, featuring favourite works by Scandinavian composers (7.30pm, St Saviour’s Church, Sandpit Lane, St Albans AL1 4DF). All joking …
Weekend workshop April 24/25th: Lutosławski: Concerto for Orchestra
Friday 24th April (7.30pm to 10pm) & Saturday 25th April (10.30am to 6pm) 2015 Townsend School, High Oaks, St Albans, AL3 6DR WEEKEND ORCHESTRAL WORKSHOP In memory of Babs Yule (1920-2010) Witold Lutosławski: CONCERTO FOR ORCHESTRA String, trumpet, tuba and percussion/keyboard players of a high standard (grade 7/8+) are invited to join St Albans Symphony …
SASO’s Beethoven “exciting and inspirational” says critic
Herts Advertiser critic, John Manning, believes SASO’s all-Beethoven concert was one of its best concerts ever. “With members of the Hertfordshire Chorus and other local choirs as well as a team of top class soloists, the orchestra and its conductor Bjorn Bantock produced an evening of music which must rate as one of the most …
"Beethoven symphony raises roof"
Herts Advertiser critic John Manning found SASO’s March 7th Beethoven concert “exciting and inspirational” With members of the Hertfordshire Chorus and other local choirs as well as a team of top class soloists, the orchestra and its conductor Bjorn Bantock produced an evening of music which must rate as one of the most outstanding in …
‘Choral’ Symphony promises a rousing end to SASO’s Beethoven cycle
Beethoven’s ‘Choral’ Symphony – among the greatest and most uplifting of all classical compositions – comes to St Albans Cathedral on Saturday March 7th (7.30pm) in a double bill with another of his best-loved works, the Piano Concerto No 4. The performance by St Albans Symphony Orchestra is set to provide the rousing conclusion to …
“Passion in every note”: Rachmaninov at SASO’s New Year concert
Alissa Firsova’s performance of Rachmaninov’s ‘Paganini Rhapsody’ at SASO 2015 New Year Concert won high critical praise. According to John Manning, writing in the Herts Advertiser, she “breathed expression and feeling into every one of the set of variations” and worked with conductor Bjorn Bantock to achieve “a top-quality performance of the work.” Click here …
