Jonathan Dodd shares his review of the latest Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra (IWSO) concert. Images with kind permission of Allan Marsh. Ed
I was intrigued by the programme for the third concert of the Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra’s 2024-2025 season at the Medina Theatre last Saturday, 15th March. There were going to be two items by the same soloist, one of which I had never heard. The filler in a more familiar musical sandwich.
I felt that the audience was feeling similarly to me, as we filed in and took our seats. I was delighted to see that Mr Jonathan Butcher was to be the conductor.
A London Overture
John Ireland was born in 1879, and lost both parents while still a teenager. He studied at the Royal College of Music, and spent much of his life as an organist in various London churches. He wrote music mostly for the piano, but occasionally veered into orchestral music.
His London Overture began its life as a comedy overture for a brass band competition at Crystal Palace in 1934. It was then reworked into the London Overture we were treated to on Saturday.
It consists of a series of musical impressions of London, at turns lively and thoughtful, starting with a somewhat sinister theme, then a riff on a bus conductor’s call of “Dilly, Piccadilly”, and finishes with a rather lovely horn solo. It was a bright and energetic way to start the evening.
A World Premiere
The next piece was to be a world Premiere of a Concertante, by Neil Courtney, a member of the IWSO himself. Alongside excitement and anticipation, I was feeling my own unique concerns.
Normally I would have help to produce my reviews from previous reviews and recorded performances to accompany my reflections, but I realised that none of these were available, so I listened intently, and I apologise in advance for omissions or lack of musical knowledge demonstrated here. A world premiere means a very first review.
The soloist, Mathilde Milwidsky, strode onto the stage with her violin, and immediately established her authority with her poise and demeanour. Accompanied by the attentive conductor and orchestra, she launched into her performance with skill and dexterity, ending each flourish with a dramatic triumphant raising of her bow. The concertante was relatively short, consisting of a series of violin/orchestra interactions, like a conversation about the music, in a modern style. It captured my attention and my imagination throughout, and ended with a series of half-melodic and half-plucked phrases, discordant yet urgent and intriguing.
The composer was seated in the audience to witness his work being performed beautifully, and clapped the soloist and players enthusiastically, as well as taking the stage himself for a bow. All the musicians in the IWSO were beaming to see the success of one of their members. I can only imagine Neil’s feelings, to have written this piece and to have his home orchestra play it at a well-attended concert. He must have been filled with a host of emotions. I can only applaud his talent and courage.
Well done!
Poeme
Next, Mathilde Milwidsky performed a more traditional piece, the Poeme by Ernest Chausson. Written in 1896 at the request for a friend, Chausson did not feel himself good enough to write a Concerto, producing this Poeme instead. He did not think it would be popular either.
In secret, another friend paid for its publication. It has since become an established concert work. Structured loosely in five parts, it begins in a sombre mood, and is a fine showcase for a violinist.
After her first performance, Mathilde Milwidsky played beautifully. Expressing its moody and brooding passages with lovely sweeping sweet sounds, accompanied by the orchestra providing lush and dramatic sweeping support.
It was a lovely performance, enjoyed by the whole audience, who departed for the interval in excellent spirits.
Fourth Symphony
I have known Tchaikovsky’s Fifth and Sixth Symphonies for decades. Back in my teens he was a favourite, but I have not listened so much to him in the intervening years. I confess to have never listened to his Fourth, so I was eager to experience it live.
By all accounts, Tchaikovsky was a complex character, and has suffered in his popularity, going in and out of fashion, and embarking on a famously disastrous marriage shortly before he wrote this symphony. Tchaikovsky gained a new and supportive patroness, who asked him to write programme notes.
The first movement begins with a dramatic fanfare, and describes the unlikelihood of achieving happiness in life. The music describes this frustration in turbulent emotional terms, forcefully and dramatically. The IWSO gave this splendid heartfelt music a glorious rendition.
The second movement highlights the sadness of reviewing previous moments of happiness, and is lyrical and lush, giving a feeling of solemnity and reflection.
The third movement is made up of a series of impressions, as if noticed at random, and contains long pizzicato passages. Each of the sections of the orchestra contribute their own voices in this light and colourful movement.
The final movement is very lively, as if witnessing the joy and happiness of others, as a compensation for not being happy oneself. Although Tchaikovsky later discounted his programme notes, he does acknowledge the role of ‘Fate’ in our lives, this is a lively and masterful depiction of how good life can be.
The members of the audience illustrated this musically with their usual skill and enthusiasm. At the end, there was an outburst of cheering from the audience, which was richly deserved. The Audience departed very satisfied, as always. Another marvellous concert. Thank you all.
Next concert
The next IWSO concert will be on Saturday 17th May 2025 at 7.15pm, at the Medina Theatre as always. Book your tickets via their website.
The wonderful Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, by Ralph Vaughan Williams, followed by the Horn Concerto by Glière. After that, the Journey Home by Malabar, and the great and wonderful 9th Symphony by Dvorak, known as From the New World. That promises to be an Event. I cannot wait.
It will be a full house, so buy your tickets now, if you have not already done so, and I will see you there. It promises to be another great night, with favourites and relatively unknown pieces of music performed masterfully by our very own orchestra. I am really looking forward to it, as always.
