Review: Chipping Sodbury Music Society concert, Roaring Fork Wind Quintet

‘Dance to your Daddy’ arranged by Ian Harrold was a humorous piece with a Gallic flavour. The substantial Quintet by ‘Taffanel’ gave the flautist a particularly rewarding role. The Suite by Norman Hallam based on various dance forms was played with great enthusiasm and the Charleston in particular must have tempted the audience to dance in the aisles.

Shostakovich, normally a composer of serious music, let his hair down with his ‘Tahiti Trot’ based on the tune ‘Tea for Two’. Ibert’s ‘Three Brief Pieces’ were a delight. The andante featured interplay between flute and oboe, both played with great delicacy. The finale was full of memorable themes. Jim Parker’s ‘Boulevard’, a street scene in sound, had echoes of Stravinsky and received playing of obvious affection. Several members of the audience were (almost) moved to tears by the section ‘Death of an organ grinder’, represented by gasps from the horn.

In response to enthusiastic applause the audience was treated to a lively encore titled ‘Rikudim’, an Israeli dance tune which brought a well balanced programme to a satisfying end.

Next month’s concert, on Tuesday10 November at 7.30 pm in Chipping Sodbury Town Hall, will be given by the Antara Flute and Harp Duo. Supported by the Countess of Munster Musical Trust, Thomas Hancox and Rachel Wick started playing together in 2007. They are now much in demand throughout the country, having performed at the Cheltenham Festival, the Wigmore Hall, Colston Hall, Kensington Palace, Penshurst Place, and Lauderdale House. After last April’s sell-out performance by 4 Girls 4 Harps, we recommend early booking of seats to avoid disappointment.

Further information may be found on our website at http://www.csmusicsociety.co.uk

Gerry Philp