BSO Triumphs

A Grand Night!

A Great Success

BSO on TV

75 years of BSO

'Last Night of the Basingstoke Proms' proves a hit with the audience!

On Saturday the 13^th November a 600 strong audience attended a concert celebrating the 75^th season of the Basingstoke Symphony Orchestra. The programme entitled ‘Last night of the Basingstoke Proms’ was varied including no less than thirteen pieces involving three soloists.

The concert opened with a confident performance of Holst’s Jupiter from The Planets Suite – an ideal taster of what was to follow.  Next was a captivating performance by the cellist Wolfgang Nusslein who entertained us with Holst’s Invocation for Cello and orchestra. He concluded by playing Grieg’s Peasant Song and Kanon arranged by the orchestra’s conductor Stephen Scotchmer.

The rising young talent of Alexandra Rigazzi-Tarling was next to perform, singing a selection of popular arias by Rossini, Saint Saens, Gounod & Puccini. Alexandra has excellent stage presence and really connects with the audience; her beautiful voice mesmerises. The only slight shortcoming was that the orchestra felt a little strong in places for such a refined voice.

Elspeth Taylor gave a highly polished performance of Mozart’s 4^th Horn concerto. It is easy to see why this confident performer was chosen for the position of principle horn with the Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra.

No ‘Proms’ concert would be complete with out Henry Wood’s Fantasia on British Sea Songs and this was no exception. The orchestra gave their all in a spirited performance encompassing string solos, brass chorales, and fanfares. The audience so enjoyed clapping and stamping to the ‘Sailor’s Hornpipe’ that the orchestra was forced to give an impromptu encore half way through.

The finale of Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance march No. 1 had the audience in full flag waving voice with ‘Land of Hope and Glory’. By the end, the audience were clearly delighted, and the rapturous applause resulted in an encore.

This was a thoroughly entertaining family concert, enjoyed by both performers and audience alike. With such a large varied programme, this was not an easy concert to pull-off, but the Basingstoke Symphony Orchestra triumphed admirably – let’s hope they continue for another 75 years.

Simon Haynes.