February 2015 Orchestra Project - Concert Report

This afternoon it was time to get some culturing, so I headed off to a performance by the Orchestra Project, a talented mixture of experienced players and up and comers who were playing at the Hale Auditorium. The orchestra may also include my wife, clever thing that she is.

The schedule of events was:

• Der Freischutz by Weber
• Strauss 3 Leider
• Tchaikovsky 5 Symphony

 I got myself to the venue nice and early to get my self set up. As most of us know, when you don't leave yourself enough time to prepare you end up having to rush and that is how mistakes happen. As a result I got a nice seat near the centre with a good view and plenty of room around me to stretch out. I am not sure who your average concert hall seat is made for, but it isn't me. I have a theory that they deliberately make concert hall seats uncomfortable to keep patrons awake during Opera. But that is for another time.

The concert hall at the Hale Auditorium is a truly impressive venue, great acoustics apparently. Amazing to think it is a school facility. I am sure the school's parents are very proud that their stratospheric school fees have been used so impressively.

Settled in and game faces on it was time to get down to business. Chris Dragonm the jaunty young conductor of the Orchestra Project, hit the stage to introduce the concert and start things off.

Out of the start and the Orchestra accelerated almost straight up to full speed with Der Freishutz. Showing everyone just what it could do with an impressive show of strength.

After Der Frieshutz the Orchestra changed gear, punching out three intervals in the form the 3 Leider by Strauss with the help of soprano Corinne Cowling. Who knew German could be so romantic.

After the Strauss and the intermission, the Orchestra settled into its rhythm and went long with Tchaikovsky's 5th. Tchaikovsky has his detractors, but I think the guy turns a lovely tune and the Orchestra Project certainly did him proud, whipping themselves into a tornado of noise as only an Orchestra on the rivet can do in the fourth movement.

Once that had died down many applause were had and the concert was done, everybody looking pretty happy with themselves, except possibly conductor Chris Dragon who just looked like he wanted a little bit of a lie down.

All around a good performance by the Orchestra, I have only spoken to a small minority of it, but from what I have heard they are happy with how it went. Music certainly ended up the winner today.

Other than getting my dose of culture, there was also some training today with a bit of a good run going on. Quite happy with how it went actually. It has been a while since I have said that about a run, but I really enjoyed it.

In other news, I have some good news. Watch this space, more on that tomorrow.