Westmorland Orchestra, Kendal Leisure Centre's Westmorland Hall

THE Westmorland Orchestra presented a varied and colourful programme of symphonic works. The popular overture to the Magic Flute, first performed two months before Mozart’s death in 1791, began the evening and was given a stylised performance with careful attention to the precision of the ensemble. The strings coped well with the fugal section and there was some expressive playing from the woodwind. Perhaps a little stilted at first, there was a good build up to the final climax.

Undoubtedly the highlight of the evening was the performance of the visiting young cellist, Jack Bailey, a student from the Royal Northern College of Music. A multiple prizewinner, including the Barbirolli Cello Prize, he has already had considerable experience as a soloist and has just returned from a national recital tour in Australia. In Saturday’s performance of Dvorak’s technically challenging cello concerto first performed in 1895, he soon showed his mastery of the instrument in the opening movement. At best perhaps in the more lyrical passages, the adagio was quite captivating in its intensity of expression. The orchestra must be praised for its highly professional support, showing great sensitivity in the dynamic contrasts and exhibiting a wealth of colour with some skilful playing from the woodwind and horns. The soloist was very much at home in the thrilling finale with its breathtaking coda and the audience was delighted by this remarkable and entertaining performance.

This was followed by Elgar’s Enigma Variations, written in 1877, a set of 14 intended by the composer as musical portraits of his family and friends each identified by their initials.

The conductor, Richard Howarth, kept a firm hand on the ever changing nuances and moods in this work. All the strings played superbly with an impressive warm sound throughout and the solo contributions from all sections were well executed and musically sensitive. This was a polished and musically convincing performance which deserved a greater accolade from the audience.

Congratulations to all for an enjoyable and stimulating evening. Kendal is indeed fortunate to be home to an amateur orchestra of such style and positive achievement.

MARJORIE BRINNAND