REVIEW: King’s Lynn hosts Norfolk Symphony Orchestra concert including Sir Malcolm Arnold’s Four Scottish Dances
We can once again relax on a Sunday afternoon and enjoy the occasional Norfolk Symphony Orchestra Concert, now they have resumed regular performances.
Their recent concert consisted of three works: Sir Malcolm Arnold’s lively Four Scottish Dances, Op.59, Dvorak’s Serenade in E Major for strings, and a relatively little known romantic piece, Kalinnikov’s Symphony No.1 in G Minor, which to many in the enthusiastic audience was something of a revelation!
Sir Malcolm Arnold, the famous British composer of both classical and film music, had connections with King’s Lynn (he was seen at Lynn’s Corn Exchange on several occasions), and he died in Norfolk.
His Scottish dances, are brash, bright, and airy at times, and the orchestra played with the necessary panache and sensitivity when required.
Dvorak’s Serenade for Strings is a romantic masterpiece, lively ,melancholic and delicate, and was played with plenty of Slavonic atmosphere and style, bringing out the dance elements of the work.
Kalinnikov’s 1st Symphony in G minor, has long been a favourite of mine. Completed in 1895, the work is tunefully romantic and memorable.
The composer was encouraged and influenced in his work by Tchaikovsky. Borodin is another composer who comes to mind when listening to Kalinnikov’s music. I’m inspired now to explore more of his work. It was such a shame he died aged only 34 of tuberculosis.
Thanks, NSO, leader and solo violin Bridgitte Mallon, and conductor Steve Bingham.
We look forward to the next NSO concert on May 15, at 'St. Nick’s'!
Andy Tyler
