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LEICESTER MERCURY 24/05/04 LONDON MOZART PLAYERS AND LEICESTER PHILHARMONIC CHOIR DE MONTFORT HALL, LEICESTER, 21/05/04 By NEIL CRUTCHLEY
Dramatic and elegant THREE great works from Mozart’s last year were featured in this sell-out concert, which saw a welcome return to the De Montfort Hall of the London Mozart Players — Britain’s oldest established chamber orchestra and an ensemble of impressive refinement and style. The programme began with the Overture to the Magic Flute, which was given a beautifully detailed and articulated reading. Conductor Hilary Davan Wetton struck a nice balance between drama and elegance, making much of the rhythmic and dynamic contrasts. The Clarinet Concerto came next, with a truly memorable performance by soloist Emma Johnson. Her control of tone and dynamics, expressive insight and wonderful sense of spontaneity were captivating from first bar to last. The concert ended with a fine performance of Mozart’s Requiem, with strong incisive singing from the Leicester Philharmonic Choir and an impressive and well-matched quartet of young soloists from the Royal College of Music: Katherine Manley (soprano), Nicola Stonehouse (mezzo), Nathan Vale (tenor) and Dawid Kimberg (baritone). The conductor balanced his forces with great skill and ensured that the texture and detail of the score were never lost. |
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