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LEICESTER MERCURY 01/11/05
LEICESTER PHILHARMONIC CHOIR AND ENGLISH FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA
OUTSTANDING TREAT FOR GERSHWIN FANS "I like a Gershwin tune, how about you?" Anyone who agreed with these song lyrics was in for a treat at the De Montfort Hall on Saturday - the overture from Girl Crazy, Rhapsody In Blue and a concert version of Porgy and Bess. The English Festival Orchestra got things off to a bright start with the toe-tapping Broadway classic, Girl Crazy. Then mezzo soprano Amanda Pyke took to the platform to feature as soloist in Feel The Spirit, a cycle of spirituals by John Rutter. Pyke and the choir performed with uplifting style. Back to Gershwin, this time the popular Rhapsody In Blue. This emotive piece always conjures up visions of New York tenements in the steamy heat of summer, and was enhanced by the sublime playing of pianist Chris Lee. The second-half of the concert was Porgy and Bess, conducted by Brian Kay, in which choir, orchestra and soloists produced a wonderful sound. It was delightful to hear this Gershwin masterpiece without the 'distraction' of a full-scale theatre production. But why were the soloists not lit? Their facial expressions were totally lost in the gloom. |
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