It was a great evening for music when the ESO, Kenneth Woods and Christopher Richards took the stage together for the first time as the orchestra launched our new series in Christ Church Malvern.
Read all about it from ESO Chief Executive Peter Sheeran at Music Out Of Worcester here, and get a behind the scenes look at how it all came together from artistic director Kenneth Woods here.
Where you there? Please write to info@eso.co.uk to share your thoughts and reactions, or leave a comment below. We welcome your feedback!
An article for the Malvern Gazette submitted by Christ Church
ESO COMES TO CHRIST CHURCH
We were both thrilled, proud and privileged on Friday evening when the ESO performed the first of their inaugural concerts and are honoured that they have chosen us as their venue. It was also Kenneth Woods’ first concert in association with the ESO, the conductor for this series of concerts. The cold weather did not deter the audience of over a hundred and the warmth and intimacy of the Church made for a very special evening. There was a varied and carefully thought out programme which had promised to be exciting and it was! There was the poignancy of the Ullmann Chamber Symphony Opus 46a. and the beauty of the Mozart Clarinet Concerto, when soloist Chris Richard made his clarinet” sing like a bird” .Finally a thrilling conclusion – the powerful Beethoven’s Symphony No 2 Opus 21, a veritable feast for the senses. The orchestra gave it their all, only the kitchen sink was missing! The atmosphere was both intimate and “buzzing” rather like being in your own drawing room. The acoustics were much praised and the audience gave a tremendous reaction to the concert, even commenting we were like a mini Glyndebourne. Someone said “When was the last time these walls heard live Beethoven”. Exciting times are ahead , three more concerts planned the next being Thursday 23rd May 2013 at 7.30 where we will hear a programme of the best of British music , including Arne, Britten, Boyce, Finzi and Arnold. Please see our web site for full detailswww.christchurch-malvern.org.uk and you can book at ESO Box Office 01386 791044
Palm Sunday saw the launch of our new Christ Church Magazine, Christ Church News and we have much planned for the remainder of 2013. Next up is our Spring Fair on Saturday 20th April from 10.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. note your diary to come and browse our varied stalls and enjoy our fabulous bacon, egg and sausage sandwiches for breakfast or and early lunch , all produce supplied from our local Barnard’s Green Butchers. But before then join us Good Friday for our Devotional Hour 2.00 to 3.00 p.m.with Canon Harold Goddard and again on Easter Sunday at 11.00 a.m. for Holy Communion conducted by Canon Goddard.
And here’s a letter from a listener submitted to the paper
Dear Sir,
I am sure I speak for all those who attended the ESO concert in Christ Church last Friday when I say we were absolutely transported by the wonderful playing. Experienced concertgoers I spoke to said they had not heard a more sensitive performance of the Mozart Clarinet Concerto, and the Beethoven absolutely ‘crackled’.
The ESO appear to have found a treasure in Kenneth Woods, their artistic director for this series, who conveyed his enthusiasm through his words to the audience as well as his baton. His rapport with the orchestra was self-evident, as was the excellent Christ Church acoustic which seems to be made for them.
This is the first joint venture between these forces, which promises great things for the rest of the season, and hopefully for others to follow. I cannot commend them too highly.
Peter B
Malvern
The next concert in the series is coming up soon! May 24th- mark your calendars!
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Title: ESO at Christchurch Malvern- Ullmann, Mozart and Beethoven
Location: Christ Church, Malvern
Description: Kenneth Woods- conductor
Ullmann (arr. Woods)- Chamber Symphony opus 46a
Mozart- Clarinet Concerto
Chris Richards, clarinet
Interval
Beethoven- Symphony no. 2
Start Time: 19:30
Date: 2013-03-22
The limpid lyricism of Mozart’s beloved Clarinet Concerto, the virtuosic good humour of Beethoven’s Second Symphony and the defiant heroism of Ullmann’s Chamber Symphony.
The ESO is proud to begin our new series at Christ Church, Malvern with the first professional UK performance of Viktor Ullmann’s Chamber Symphony, opus 43 a- an arrangement of his Third String Quartet by conductor Kenneth Woods.
Christopher Richards, recently appointed as Principal Clarinet of the London Symphony is possibly England’s most exciting young exponent of the instrument, and his performance of the Mozart Clarinet Concerto promises to be truly magical.
Beethoven’s Second Symphony is a virtuoso tour de force for any orchestra, and promises a thrilling conclusion to a historic evening of music making.