A fitting farewell concert

AFTER 27 years at its helm, Jenny Barrie was given a very appropriate farewell by Sinfonia players and a full hall at Kingsley School.

Jenny remembers Rossini’s Overture to The Italian Girl in Algiers as the very first piece she conducted with the orchestra and this piece fittingly began the farewell event – woodwind to the fore, John Cullington’s oboe prominent.

Simon Ballard’s strong bond with the players entitles him to keep them and their conductor in check – never allowing them to race away during his very measured performance of Beethoven’s ‘Emperor’ Piano Concerto.

Jenny kept a watchful eye on Simon throughout, most especially in the gorgeous adagio where control is most required.

Schumann adored his French horns and his Symphony No 3 ‘Rhenish’ afforded Sinfonia’s foursome – Callie Scully, Martin Eyles, Rebecca Grier and Anton Rosenfield the best opportunity of the evening to excel – which they did.

As an amateur orchestra, Leamington Sinfonia gets to play pieces which many similarly placed orchestras would not. Simon Ballard’s Serenade No 22, composed in 1992 on the 0930 Brighton to London train is one such piece.

I was reminded of a very pleasing medieval chorale - the exceptional flute playing of Rachel Misson once again noted.

Clive Peacock