Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra, Brighton Dome Concert Hall, Jan 31 (From The Argus)

Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra, Brighton Dome Concert Hall, Jan 31

4:12pm Monday 1st February 2010 in Music Reviews By Rosie Clarke

William Walton’s Henry V Suite For Orchestra accompanies Laurence Olivier’s epic 1944 film, beginning with Tudor-influenced trumpet fanfares, steady drum rolls, and luscious harp and flute flourishes.

The discordance and confusion of the Battle Of Agincourt is recreated with metallic clashes, wailing violins like flights of arrows, and thunderous, charging urgency from brass, basses and cellos.

From the sadness and throbbing, slow heartbeats of the Death Of Falstaff to the pugnacious conclusion, this was an emotional journey.

Peter Moore, the 14-year-old trombonist who won the BBC’s Young Musician Of The Year in 2008, took to the stage with a calm professionalism.

He brought life into Gordon Jacob’s Trombone Concerto with flawless dynamic control and a beautifully clear, warm tone, sharing the jaunty theme as if debating with the orchestra.

Conductor Stephen Bell bounced upon the podium during the whirling dances making up Dvorak’s Symphony No 8, his coat lining flashing.

From peaceful strings to sudden brass conclusion, this was an exciting performance full of contrasts.

Surprisingly, despite enthusiastic applause, cries of “Bravo!” and a beaming conductor, the musicians only acknowledged their success with restrained nods.