Under the baton of John Beswick, Bedford Symphony Orchestra (BSO) gave their first performance of the season to an almost full house at Bedford Corn Exchange.
Some were queuing to get those last tickets before the doors were even open and with barely a seat available, audience numbers were back to pre-Covid levels, with many new faces of all ages.
Finally, it was time for the lights to go up on the BSO, ready to welcome their internationally renowned soloist, Michael Foyle.
Michael had flown in from Amsterdam the day before, especially for the concert and he wowed players and audience alike with a brilliant rendition of Elgar’s violin concerto.
“It was impossible not to admire the talent of Michael Foyle in Elgar’s Violin Concerto,” said audience member, Mike Mallalieu.
“It is almost beyond belief how someone can memorise a 50-minute piece, never mind play it so wonderfully.”
The second half brought more beautiful melodies. The word “exquisite” was used more than once to describe the stunning horn solo by Kate Knight at the start of the second movement of the Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5.
It’s an iconic and very difficult solo and she played it with apparent ease and great tenderness. It was the highlight for many.
Perhaps one of the most exciting, but maybe less obvious successes of the night, was witnessing the growing group of young talented musicians playing in BSO. Furthermore, a large group of their younger colleagues from NBYCO and Friday Flyers were in the audience, as special guests of BSO.
Hazel Farrow, music teacher with Friday Flyers said: “I shared this deeply enjoyable concert with some of Bedford‘s Friday Flyer musicians who were really inspired.
“The standard of playing was captivating throughout; from the mesmerising textures of the Elgar to the sumptuous string playing and exquisite solos of the Tchaikovsky. Bravo and thank you for inviting us.”
Finally, post-concert it’s a moment to reflect on how fortunate we are to have access to such a high standard of live classical music in the heart of Bedford.
Andrew Whitbread, a member of the audience, summed it up: “What a stunning evening of music from Elgar and Tchaikovsky, delivered by the superb BSO.
“It is one of the jewels in the crown of Bedford – we are so lucky to have them!”
For details of all BSO and Bedford Sinfonia concerts visit bedfordsymphony.com.
Photos: Bonnie Lane www.bonnielane.com
by Ann Collins
publicity officer, Bedfordshire Orchestral Society
