Merlin Music Society Review BBC NOW March 2009

This review was written by Huw Howell.

Huw is in Year 12 at Monmouth Comprehensive School, where he is studying chemistry, physics and music. He plays alto and baritone Saxophone and clarinet.

Friday 20^th  March saw another concert in the Merlin Music Society series given by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. Their programme opened with Mendelssohn’s Symphony for Strings No.6 in E-flat. As a woodwind player I’m always going to be slightly biased against strings so it was with some trepidation that I sat down to listen to an orchestra consisting of only strings. When they began to play, any doubts I had were quickly quashed. Each player played as if they were soloists in their right, but were able produce a spectacular sound as a whole. Lesley Hatfield led the orchestra with enthusiasm and poise.

Their second piece was Haydn’s symphony No. 49 in F Minor. The dark beginning was well controlled and the basses and cellos made an impressive sound that added to the atmosphere. In the key change, the violins and violas contrasted well with the cellos and basses.

The interval was followed by a stunning performance by Andrew Nicholson of William Mathias’s Concerto for Flute. He played with great energy and produced an amazing sound, showing great mastery of his instrument, I especially liked the way that he used his whole hand to trill as quickly as possible. His flute is an amazing instrument in its own right, being made of platinum and gold no less! He produced a clear sound that complimented the accompanying strings without dominating or overwhelming them.

To close the evening BBC NOW performed Dvorák’s Serenade in E Major Op. 22. Again another virtuoso performance with good balance between the violins and violas against the basses and cellos. The violin melody came across well and was played with great control. The melody was light with harmony in the cellos played in the higher range.

I thoroughly enjoyed an excellent night of music and I’m looking forward to seeing Andrew Nicholson back at the Blake Theatre for another superb performance. Finally I’d like to thank Merlin Music Society for organising an evening of wonderful music.