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Those who came to hear chamber music must have been surprised by the concert of The University of York Chamber Orchestra: a diverse programme of music with a genuine symphonic character entertained the packed Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall on the 18th of February.
The premiere of ‘Head of the Corner’, an epic piece of music by the Polish composer and York PHD student Marcin Banasik, made an excellent opening; the powerful sounds of this progressive piece intensified by the intimacy of the hall. Banasik’s piece explores the full range of orchestral possibilities, using every single sound in the orchestra’s repertoire, to surprising and stunning effect. Compliments must also go to the orchestra, performing this technically and rhythmically demanding piece with great confidence.
Tranquillity returned when the orchestra’s string section continued the concert with Edward Elgar’s ‘Introduction and Allegro’. This piece, arguably the mother of English string music, combines the energetic with the lyrical to the melody of a Welsh folk song. It was the slower passages that showed off the orchestra at its best, playing with passion and intensity. Unfortunately speed occasionally got the better of them, causing intonation to be momentarily compromised. Nevertheless, these occasional blips did not spoil the great impression this performance left on the audience.
For the final piece of the night, the orchestra was joined by pianist Jonathan Storey, another former York student, for the performance of Prokofiev’s ‘Piano Concerto no 3 in C’. Storey, who displayed great skill and virtuosity, soon won over his audience. Prokofiev’s vibrant piece was accompanied convincingly by the orchestra, who, while sloppy at times, produced a warm and pleasant sound throughout.
With this programme, the Chamber Orchestra proved itself capable of producing strong performances of diverse musical styles, making this enjoyable concert all the more impressive.
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