Saturday's [February 9] Norwich Philharmonic Orchestra concert featured a programme of some of the most ambitious works of the romantic repertoire, begining with Wagner's Tannhauser Overture and Venusberg Music.
No sinecure this and the introduction was somewhat insecure, and though the orchestra recovered well, it was not one of their best performances.
Kate Woolley was the superb soloist in Strauss' first Horn Concerto; note perfect, superb sound, flawless playing, and the high point of the evening, despite a not too precise orchestral accompaniment.
The playing was more relaxed after the interval with an excellent reading by conductor Matthew Andrews of Rimsky Korsakov's Capriccio Espagnol. The orchestra were on top form, with many solos, too numerous to mention individually, all superbly performed.
The orchestra played a sensitive performance of Mussorgsky's lovely Prelude to Kovanshina before the finale, Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet, perfectly paced by Andrews, and with superb playing from the band.
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