Northern Sinfonia Westmorland Hall, Kendal WHY does the Lakeland Sinfonia Concert Society love the Northern Sinfonia? Is it the sight of its extraordinary leader and his theatrical bow bounding onstage; the pride its players derive from giving of their best; the generous, enthusiastic applause always given to a colleague after a concerto performance; the pleasure gained from watching its conductor (almost John Inman-like in his gait!) hurry onstage to assert his amiable authority over his family? It is all of these reasons - and more. Heading the list has to be the remarkable musicianship, sensitivity, imagination and technical proficiency of Mario Venzago and his players.

Mozart’s Overture: The Magic Flute, refined in every way (balance, textural clarity, rhythmic vitality) and Schoeck’s Pastorales Intermezzo for Strings, expertly scored (lush, sonorous) both received gratifying readings. The highlights, though, were Juliette Bausor’s virtuoso performance of Ibert’s attractive Flute Concerto and the Sinfonia’s electric interpretation of Dvořák’s Symphony No 7. The elegant solo flautist - radiant of tone, glittering in ‘perpetual mobile’ passages, expressive in slow moments - was accompanied by colleagues at the top of their game. As for the symphony - I’ve said it all above. It was a ‘grand finale carnivale.’

Brian Paynes