Summer 2024
Dear orchestra! I can say without any reservation that we just had our best concert ever.
I would like to start by thanking:
Miles and Viv for all the logistic work, calls, nagging, platform bookings and for caring so much for all the players of the orchestra.
Merrill: For your invaluable input in finding the music parts, keeping us informed of what is or is not available and for keeping a firm eye on everyone to return the parts. This is especially hard after concerts as everyone is thinking about the pub!
Josh: Your work in branding the orchestra in the many forms you so masterfully excel at, has been instrumental in projecting it as a serious institution in the area!
Caroline: Thanks for reassuring me that we will NOT go broke😂 and for keeping the finances of the orchestra healthy.
Katie, Trevor and everyone involved officially or unofficially: in promoting the orchestra online and offline. Your work has been invaluable and it paid off massively by having such a lovely and large audience!
Helen: for keeping a record of the membership so efficiently.
Judith for so efficiently keeping the school booked for our rehearsals.
Clare: for always being such a great supporter and adviser in many orchestral and ensemble matters.
Principals from all sections: for working hard in supporting their respective sections and passing on queries and ideas so smoothly!
Every member who played solos at the concert: for your extremely high level of playing and musicianship! For putting so much care and love into preparing your solos for the orchestra! You all were stunning!
Extra players: all of them who so kindly came to reinforce the orchestra. I hope that they enjoyed the experience and hope to see them all in future!
Now about the concert:
Despite being such a short piece that offers a limited range of dynamic possibilities. The Overture was performed with a surprisingly wide rainbow of colours, and articulations and every section displayed their strength with poise and confidence. The speed was fiendish and the ensemble held brilliantly throughout it all!
What a treat for us all to have amazing and lovely Natalie Clein playing with us. I learnt so much from her in the rehearsal and concert and I am sure everyone in the orchestra and the audience found her performance smashing! The orchestra rose to the occasion by changing their sound and adapting to Natalie perfectly! Colours, articulations and textures were excellently showcased and the ensemble held so masterfully that it was easy to believe she was being accompanied by professionals. We all know the piece is crazy hard, but from the outside, it sounded so naturally played!
Tchaikovsky’s 4th Symphony is easily one of the hardest and most difficult-to-grasp symphonies in the entire repertoire.
The ESO not only performed it with gobsmacking confidence, but told a perfectly built story. All colours and dynamics were so intensely varied and clear; Climaxes were so well shown and build-ups played with such awareness that one could feel the audience’s attention glued to us!
To finish my very long post-concert note: Several members of the audience and players told me that the orchestra sounded very much like a professional ensemble. This good feedback is spread through word of mouth. It is my hope that we have opened the door to new audiences. Natalie loved the orchestra and will definitely love to come back in the future! I can say with all confidence that the concert was a complete triumph!
Arturo
Exeter Symphony Orchestra Facebook page is now up and running – open to all www.facebook.com/ExeterSymphonyOrchestra . Feel free to contribute and invite your friends and don’t forget to tick ‘like’. There is also a Twitter page – with much feedback from our concerts. Again, please do feel free to contribute – @Exeter_Symphony
