Prom Saturday Matinee 4: English Chamber Orchestra with Ben Johnson and Richard Watkins

By Edward Whitney, 27 August 2013

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Reviewed at Cadogan Hall, London on 24 August 2013

Purcell, Sonata no. 6 in G minor "Chaconne", in four parts, Z 807 (arr. Britten)

Lutosławski, Paroles tisées (Woven words)

Berkeley, Variations on an Elizabethan Theme "Sellinger's Round": Variation 3 (Andante)

Britten, Variations on an Elizabethan Theme "Selleiger's Round": Variation 4 "Quick and Gay"

Oldham, Variations on an Elizabethan Theme "Sellinger's Round": Variation 1 (Allegro non troppo)

Searle, Variations on an Elizabethan Theme "Sellinger's Round": Variation 5 "Nocturne" (Adagio)

Tippett, Variations on an Elizabethan Theme "Sellinger's Round": Variation 2 "Lament"

Walton, Variations on an Elizabethan Theme "Sellinger's Round": Variation 6 "Finale, Fuga à la gigue" (Presto giocoso)

Davies, Variations on an Elizabethan Theme "Sellinger's Round" (BBC commission, world première)

Woolrich, Variations on an Elizabethan Theme "Sellinger's Round" (BBC commission, world première)

Britten, Serenade for tenor, horn and strings, song cycle, Op.31

Ben Johnson, Tenor

Richard Watkins, French horn

English Chamber Orchestra

Paul Watkins, Conductor

Essential Early Romantics from the ECO at Cadogan Hall

Roy Westbrook, 11th May

Three of the world's best composers, who were friends and colleagues, but who rarely co-habit in concert, appear at Cadogan Hall.

****1

A vivid Soldier's Tale from the English Chamber Orchestra

Graham Watts, 4th October

Outstanding narration was the feather in this soldier’s cap

****1

Spirited Mendelssohn without frills from the English Chamber Orchestra

Nick Boston, 27th September

Warm Borodin and energetic Mendelssohn from the ECO players in an online experience which lacked occasion.

***11

Delicious French morsels launch the ECO’s Teatime Music

Mark Pullinger, 13th September

A trio of French works launch the English Chamber Orchestra's Sunday afternoon series, filmed in Beckenham Place Mansion.

****1

Ravishing Tchaikovsky from Serebrier and the ECO

Andrew Larkin, 22nd January

A fantastic all-Tchaikovsky concert in which cellist Natalie Clein gave a magnificent rendition of the Rococo Variations.

*****

Classy Bach from Vilde Frang

David Karlin, 29th April

Vilde Frang galvanises the English Chamber Orchestra, with the slow movement of Bach's E major violin concerto proving the highlight of the evening.

***11

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Edward Whitney

Edward is a trombonist, writer and critic based in Reading. He has an interest in small-scale arts projects and assists with a number of grassroots music groups. He is a supporter of amateur music and participation at every level.