Autumn Concert 2011

Trinity Camerata, originally the Buckinghamshire Chamber Orchestra, gave one of its regular concerts on Sunday 16th October at St Edburg's Church, Bicester. Attended by a good sized and appreciative audience, the concert began with George Butterworth's 'The Banks of Green Willow'. Like his friend and contemporary Vaughan Williams, Butterworth was much interested in folk song, and this work features two examples of the genre. Beginning with solo clarinet, the opening theme is taken up by divided strings and developed into a rhapsodic climax as the winds join in. Subsequently the mood quietens and we hear flute and violin solos, all most beautifully played by the principals of this excellent orchestra.

The second work in the programme was Brahms' Violin Concerto. The soloist was Tanya Sweiry, a young violinist who is rapidly making a name for herself. She played this difficult and demanding work (from memory) with real commitment and superb rhythm, sensitively accompanied by the orchestra under their conductor Tom Molloy, who directed with great clarity and control. The final movement was particularly exhilarating.

After the interval the audience heard another Brahms work, the Serenade in D. A relatively early piece, written at a time when the composer was still developing his technique, the Serenade was originally conceived as a chamber work for nine players and subsequently orchestrated, although the fourth movement, a minuet, retains its original scoring. With its six movements, this is a work of almost symphonic proportions. Even so, it is charming and very approachable, without the demanding complexities of Brahms' later symphonies. It was performed with great style and elegance, and Tom Molloy's tempos were always well judged.

St Edburg's is an excellent venue for their concerts, and a printed programme was included in the modest ticket price. Their website, easily found on Google, gives details of forthcoming concerts. Not to be missed.

Trinity Camerata is certainly the finest amateur orchestra that I have heard in recent years, and well worth supporting.