Last Season 2010/11

During the 2010-11 season we welcomed back three soloists who have appeared to popular acclaim during the last few years. If you are a regular supporter of the Rutland Sinfonia, then you will know that the orchestra is consistently on extremely good form. We continued to present a mixture of familiar and well known repertoire while always striving to create a sense of occasion and excitement at each concert. If you have not been to a Rutland Sinfonia concert then we hope that you will be encouraged to come along.

In the first concert Roger Swann played a horn concerto by Franz Strauss (father of the more well-known composer Richard Strauss) with great panache and artistry. This rarely performed work provided a fascinating opportunity to hear how a father influenced his son (since Richard later wrote a concerto for his father!). David Calow also conducted a glowing account of Dvorak's 'New World' Symphony in this concert.

Despite the wintry weather which almost prevented the concert in November, a good sized audience enjoyed Amy Littlewood’s beautiful and heartfelt performance of Prokofiev's Violin Concerto No.1 This masterpiece, paired with Sibelius' popular and powerful 2nd Symphony produced a concert of high drama in the fabulous acoustic of Oundle Parish Church.

Following the huge success of the previous season’s Young Soloists' Concert, the orchestra was delighted to be joined again in March by three more pupils from Oakham School. The works they chose were framed by two Elgar pieces – the rarely performed Imperial March and the Enigma Variations. It is always a pleasure and a privilege to accompany such proficient young soloists. This was altogether a very enjoyable and inspiring occasion.

In our final concert Carol Barker continued our Beethoven Piano Concerto Series with an outstanding performance of the Second Concerto. The concert ended the season in spectacular style with Saint Saens' Organ Symphony featuring William Fox, another Oakham pupil, as soloist. This concert was presented in association with LOROS, the well known local charity. At the end of the season we were also delighted that Sarah Latham was confirmed as the orchestra’s new permanent leader.

Paul Hilliam - Music Director