A review of our September concert kindly provided by Lionel Sainsbury, local composer and pianist.
On 26 September Oxford concert-goers were treated to one of The Oxford Sinfonia’s consistently high quality performances at University Church. The first half featured two contrasting Russian works: Prokofiev’s ‘Classical’ Symphony and Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations; after the interval we heard Mozart’s Cosi fan Tutte Overture and Schumann’s Symphony No.2. The soloist in the Tchaikovsky was the excellent young Montenegrin cellist Kosta Popovic.
The orchestra opened with a sparkling account of the Prokofiev in which the woodwinds particularly shone. Conductor Dexter Drown gave a passionately persuasive performance of Schumann’s intriguing Second Symphony. Here the strings deserve especial mention, particularly in the demanding and brilliant second movement. As in the whole programme all sections of the orchestra produced top-class playing.
A smaller-than-usual audience of between 150 and 200 was likely due to an unfortunate clash with Oxford International Opera’s Tosca at the New Theatre. But the Sinfonia marches on. We are fortunate indeed to have such a fine orchestra in Oxford, working as they do with a variety of guest conductors. In the the last two years I’ve heard them in Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No.1, Nielsen’s ‘Helios’ Overture, Wagner’s Prelude and Liebestod, Strauss’s Four Last Songs, the Sibelius Violin Concerto and Dvořák’s New World Symphony, giving ample proof of their range.
Photo shows our inspiring conductor Dexter Drown, wonderful cello soloist Kosta Popović, our leader Kate Bailey and some of the Oxford Sinfonia enjoying the post-concert celebrations!