New Year Concert: Getting 2010 off to a flying start

Published Date: 05 January 2010

By Gordon Sampson

Orchestra of Square Chapel

AFTER an excellent year for attendances at Square Chapel, the Halifax arts centre's orchestra got the 2010 programme off to a flying start before another full house.

Conductor Lawrence Killian thanked everyone for turning out despite bad weather and the musicians, led by Mary Barber, provided a memorable afternoon.

The Viennese concert was centred around selections from Johann Strauss senior.

These included polkas Thunder and Lightning, Pizzicato with plucking strings, waltz Beautiful Danube and hand-clapping Radetzky March.

Also from Strauss was a hearty Champagne Song, one of three delightful vocal solos from mezzo soprano Rowena Burton, of Holywell Green.

And 17-year-old violinist Katrina Lee made a guest appearance.

The Kirklees Youth Symphony Orchestra leader produced some superb tonal quality during Dvorak's Romance.

Clarinetist Max Benn led the way on Von Suppe's rarely-played overture Tantalusqualen which required some tricky flute playing from Stuart Coldwell and Rebecca Robinson.