Review: Northern Sinfonia @ lakes leisure, Kendal (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Review: Northern Sinfonia @ lakes leisure, Kendal

9:40am Tuesday 16th March 2010 in

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NORTHERN Sinfonia’s association with the Lakeland Sinfonia Concert Society has been long and always synonymous with musicianly excellence; its recent visit was no exception.

The programme was delightful – Sibelius’s Suite Pelléas et Mélisande, Schumann’s Cello Concerto and Mozart’s Jupiter Symphony.

Apart from its first movement the Sibelius proved to be unfamiliar yet utterly charming; to the not-so-familiar Concerto Guy Johnson brought musicianship, beautiful tone, virtuosity, intimacy and a total collaboration with his colleagues; Mozart…can there be another symphony, anywhere, of such genius?

The performances were memorable – out of the topmost drawer, with assiduous, professional attention to detail.

The calibre of the players, naturally, ensures this but the conductor also has a part to play. Garry Walker (young and balletic, not currently a household name, but watch this space) was in control, welding his forces with authority and artistry.

He knows his scores, is refreshingly not afraid to occasionally introduce his own idiosyncratic ideas and – importantly – seems to have the respect of his players.

They obviously enjoy their work and, consequently, are a joy to both hear and watch.