Stunning Sibelius!

Review by John Sherlock

March 12th 2022

The Capitol, Horsham

Conductor: Steve Dummer / Leader: Rachel Ellis / Soloist: Laurence Cuttriss

Stravinksy: Divertimento

Schumann: Cello Concerto

Sibelius: Symphony No. 2

Horsham Symphony Orchestra’s spring concert culminated with a stunning

performance of Sibelius’ second symphony – dedicated (in conductor Steve

Dummer’s words) to “people who were having problems with Russia”. It was a

passionate and poignant rendering, with the brass section shining through, helping to

create a triumphal mood as the key flipped from minor to major in the final

movement.

In the first half of the concert we heard a fine interpretation of Stravinsky’s

Divertimento – in which the string sound was magnificent. Indeed the whole orchestra

deserves great credit for its astonishing accuracy through complicated tempo changes.

This is part of an orchestra project to make Stravinsky’s music better known, and

promises great treats to come.

The Cello Concerto of Schumann called for no less accuracy. It gave our soloist

Pavlos Carvalho the opportunity to amaze us with his virtuosity. It was another

impassioned performance, bringing out the lyrical sweep of this (for its time)

innovative composition. Interplay between soloist and orchestra was superb.

How fortunate we are to have such amazing music makers on our doorstep! HSO is

another reason to feel very proud of Horsham