Ulster Youth Orchestra alumni celebrate their founding

By Leighton Jones, 30 December 2018

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“McHale’s playing was pristine”

Reviewed at Ulster Hall, Belfast on 29 December 2018

Prokofiev, Piano Concerto no. 3 in C major, Op.26

Tchaikovsky, Symphony no. 4 in F minor, Op.36

Ulster Youth Orchestra

Joanne Quigley, Leader

Michael McHale, Piano

Paul McCusker, Conductor

Ulster Youth Orchestra marks its quarter-century

Leighton Jones, 25th August

Marking a trio of anniversaries, Debussy, Bernstein and their 25th milestone, the Ulster Youth Orchestra are welcomed home from their celebratory European tour with the warmest Irish greetings.

****1

Prom 28: Ulster Orchestras with Sir James Galway and JoAnn Faletta

Edward Whitney, 4th August

It is a cliché in music commentary to say that youth orchestras bring vitality, fearlessness and chutzpah to the programmes that they play. But as with most clichés, it does appear to be based in truth, and that is perhaps one reason why the BBC Proms continue to give such support to young players as well as young composers.

***11

A lunchtime feast from Michael Collins and Michael McHale

Mark Pullinger, 18th June

Two Michaels – Collins and McHale – provided the musical nourishment in today’s lunchtime recital from Wigmore Hall, a feast of classic clarinet sonatas.

****1

Autumn sunshine and Gallic flair

Mark Pullinger, 26th September

Watery September sunshine and an autumnal air hung over Wigmore Hall, appropriate conditions for a recital of late clarinet sonatas.

****1

Michael McHale's Irish Piano Tour

Terry Blain, 22nd May

Resonant Mussorgsky Pictures cap an unusually fresh, imaginatively programmed recital. Is Michael McHale the best Irish pianist since Barry Douglas?

****1

Benedetti ablaze with the Philharmonia

Christopher Woodley, 19th April

As gifts to the Philarmonia's 80th birthday season, Nicola Benedetti gives a barnstorming account of Elgar's Violin Concerto before Cristian Mӑcelaru gets emotionally drained by La Mer.

*****

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Leighton Jones

Leighton has extensive teaching experience from early years to postgraduate level music. Currently he works as a primary music specialist, visiting instrumental teacher and examiner. As a pianist, he was inspired to play after hearing Moura Lympany at a young age and has a large collection of her recordings. Leighton’s postgraduate studies focussed on his interest in 20th-century English orchestral music, with particular study of Britten, Rawsthorne, Walton and Vaughan Williams. A keen choral singer he has developed a comprehensive knowledge of chiefly British choral music.

Ulster Youth Orchestra alumni celebrate their founding with a Russian evening