We Loved It!

Review by John Sherlock

July 9th  2022

The Capitol, Horsham

Conductor: Steve Dummer / Anna Giddey: / Soloist: Rachel Ellis

Callen: Sirens Wake

Brahms: Violin Concerto

Stravinksy: Symphony in C

“You’ll love it” were Steve Dummer’s words as he introduced the Stravinsky Symphony in C – and we did! With two movements composed in Europe, and two in America, the difference was clear in HSO’s skilled rendering of this rarely performed and technically challenging work – part of their ongoing Stravinsky project and a fine conclusion to HSO’s 50th anniversary season.

Before the interval we heard the orchestra’s own Rachel Ellis – who usually leads the orchestra – as soloist in Brahms’ sublime violin concerto. It was a deeply moving performance, and she demonstrated great skill and artistry throughout, but especially in the cadenza.

The concert began with a world première: Lucy Callen is a composer and conductor and she wrote ‘Sirens Wake’ specially for HSO. In the programme note she described a journey out to sea, and the piece delivers this feeling beautifully, leaving us wondering “whether or not it might have all been a dream”.

I overheard several enthusiastic audience comments, particularly about the high quality of the woodwind ensemble. But the whole orchestra rose to the challenge of a testing programme, and triumphed. As maestro Steve Dummer promised, we loved it.