The splendid concert given by Abergavenny Symphony Orchestra, under their conductor Michael Bell at Our Lady & St Michael’s RC Church, Abergavenny, in a stimulating and well-contrasted programme, had as its undoubted highlight a thrilling rendering of Elgar’s Cello Concerto from Welsh National Opera’s principal cellist Rosie Biss. This was simply the most powerful and dramatic live performance of the solo part I can remember hearing for a long time. What was particularly noticeable was the way that the orchestra rose to accompany their virtuoso guest every step of the way, requiring no concession whatsoever for their amateur status.
The concert opened with Beethoven’s powerful and heroic Egmont Overture and concluded with a lovely account of Dvorak’s 6th Symphony, the most neglected of his published last four symphonies, replete with the Czech exuberance and vitality that characterise all of this composer’s work.
The afternoon belonged, however, without question, to Elgar.
Chris Hall