HSO: A Jewel in the Crown 

Review by John Sherlock
21 November 2015
The Capitol, Horsham

Conductor: Steve Dummer
Leader: Barry Sutton

Brahms: Double Concerto (Soloists: Rachel Ellis and Pavlos Carvalho)
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6

Steve Dummer always has the ‘mot juste’. He introduced the second half of HSO’s concert by congratulating the soloists of the first half, then reminding us all about the Horsham Second Orchestra’s upcoming concert at St Mark’s Church (December 1st at 7.30), and then introducing Tchaikovsky’s Sixth Symphony.

Known as the ‘Pathétique’, it is indeed a work full of pathos. It didn’t take long for listeners to realise this was going to be a moving and special performance. The opening was stunning, the five-four waltz was a complete delight, and the march-like third movement almost had us on our feet. The audience responded to the dying notes of the heart-rending final movement with a silence that spoke louder than the well-deserved applause that followed.

Brahms’ Double Concerto is a tougher nut to crack. While definitely one of my ‘desert island’ composers, I find myself seeking a balance of intellect, energy and lushness that wasn’t quite achieved this time. Perhaps I’m being too harsh? It didn’t help being plunged into darkness so that we couldn’t follow the superb programme notes. HSO certainly didn’t lack confidence or accuracy at the start, and the middle movement – one of Brahms’ grand tunes – was as good as you’ll hear anywhere. The dance-like final movement was a joy, and the soloists were fabulous.

We are amazingly privileged to have such a team of musicians on our doorstep. If there is hint of dissatisfaction in what I’ve written it is only because the bar is set so high. HSO is a jewel in Horsham’s crown of talent. Tchaikovsky 6 was quite extraordinary.