Category: Reviews
Guest violinist is ‘stunning success of the evening’
All sections excelled in Prokofiev’s rugged Fifth Symphony, according to Herts Advertiser critic John Manning. But magnificent playing by soloist David le Page provided the evening’s stunning success in Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto While Serge Prokofiev’s March from his The Love for Tree Oranges suite might be one of this best known pieces, the same cannot …
"Dynamic Tom leads SASO into 2017 concert success"
GEOFF WARD, reviewing SASO’s 2017 New Year Concert in the Herts Advertiser, says he has never heard the orchestra play better. St Albans Symphony Orchestra gave their annual New Year concert in St Albans Cathedral a day later than usual under their charismatic and dynamic new conductor, Tom Hammond (pictured). The concert began with a …
‘Tom gets off to a flying start at symphony orchestra concert’
Herts Advertiser critic has given warm welcome to new SASO principal conductor, Tom Hammond – and the ‘exquisite’ singing of soprano soloist Dima Bawab. “New conductor Tom Hammond got St Albans Symphony Orchestra’s new season off to a fine start on Saturday (15 October) with a programme aimed to please.” “Wagner’s, ever-popular overture to The …
"Orchestra take a concert bow"
Herts Advertiser critic John Manning was impressed by SASO’s summer concert, featuring Mahler’s monumental 5th Symphony. Members of St Albans Symphony Orchestra can feel justifiably feel pride at their overall level of performance at their concert in St Saviour’s Church on Saturday. With cellist Michael Wigram, their programme contained just two works, Saint-Saen’s Cello Concerto No …
‘Elgar workshop results in topnotch playing’ says critic
SASO’s performance of Elgar’s Symphony No 2 at the conclusion of its 2016 Babs Yule memorial workshop weekend was ‘impressive’ according to Herts Advertiser music critic, John Manning. Anyone hearing Elgar’s second symphony for the first time might be forgiven for not recognising it as the work of the great composer. For, in its overall style, …
‘Cristian dazzles as SASO as conductor shows the way’
John Manning, music critic for the Herts Advertiser, was impressed in March by rising violin start Cristian Grajner de Sa – and by SASO’s playing under guest conductor Leon Gee “Although Cristian Grajner De Sa is still an undergraduate he dazzled his audience ill St Albans on Saturday with his performance of Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto. …
"SASO gets 2016 off to a flying start for audience"
John Manning, music critic of the Herts Advertiser, declared SASO’s 2016 New Year concert to be “a huge success” After more than three decades St Albans Symphony Orchestra’s annual New Year’s Day concert has become one the biggest musical events of the year for the city. And the 2016 concert at St Albans Cathedral was no …
St Cecilia Society shows why Requiem still matters
Herts Advertiser critic John Manning praises the St Cecilia Festival Society’s performance of Dvorak’s rarely-heard Requiem Congratulations to all concerned in the St Albans St Cecilia Festival Society’s presentation of Dvorak’s rarely-heard Requiem. Few who heard it in St Albans Cathedral on Saturday could fail to agree that this powerful and dramatic work should be heard far …
Bjorn’s swansong delights audience
John Manning, music critic for the Herts Advertiser, found SASO on top form for its ‘Best of Britain’ concert, providing a fitting farewell for Principal Conductor Bjorn Bantock For four seasons conductor Bjorn Bantock has been an inspiration to the St Albans Symphony Orchestra, providing excellent leadership and direction. But Saturday’s concert was his last …
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 …
