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Journal 18/09/04 Samling Foundation Concert, Hexham Abbey The 52nd Hexham Abbey Festival opened with a resounding celebration of the work of the Hexham-based arts charity, the Samling Foundation, filling the centuries-old abbey with the joyous sounds of young musicians. The concert was the fruit of a collaboration between the recently formed Southbank Sinfonia orchestra and pupils of three Hexham schools - the link being conductor Simon Over who has worked with the Foundation throughout its eight-year life and formed the orchestra as a stepping stone for graduate musicians moving into the professional world. Excerpts from a children's favourite, Saint-Saëns' Carnival of the Animals, found dancers from the Sele First School prowling the aisles in The Lion's Royal March before St Joseph's Middle School Choir joined soprano Fiona Duncan in Elgar's Ave Verum Corpus. Following with pieces by César Franck and Gordon Jacob, the choir gave an admirable performance - well tuned, with excellent timing and clear diction. The Queen Elizabeth High School Orchestra, too showed how much up-and-coming talent we have in the region as they joined the Southbank Sinfonia in a boldly characterized reading of Beethoven's Egmont Overture. And as if to emphasise the point, Andrew Passmore marked his transition from Queen Elizabeth student and organ scholar at Hexham Abbey to a full-time organ scholarship in Brimsby with a vivid and commanding performance of Poulenc's virtuoso Organ Concerto in G minor. Returning with a set of Richard Strauss songs, former Samling Scholar Fiona Duncan brought an assured and expressive voice to what proved to be one of the finest moments of the evening. The festival continues until next Saturday. |
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