Summer Concert

Saturday 28 June 2025
Christopher Irvin Browne

“The concert was a celebration of the wide repertoire that is the hallmark of this particular orchestra… each piece was delivered with exemplary commitment and accomplishment… Another evening of great music-making.”

Concerts given by the Todmorden Orchestra are always eagerly anticipated. This evening’s concert given at Todmorden College, found the orchestra on top form.

The concert was a celebration of the wide repertoire that is the hallmark of this particular orchestra. Yes, it was a traditional format : Overture, Concerto & Symphony, but each piece was delivered with exemplary commitment and accomplishment.

There have to be challenges for the listener too. Verdi’s Overture The Force of Destiny anticipates a dramatic night ahead in the opera house, or in this case the concert hall. We were eased into an engrossing musical feast ahead.

George Blakesley excelled as the soloist in Weber’s sparkling Clarinet Concerto No.1. This was music to entertain on a warm summer’s evening. There was even some delicate duetting between oboe and clarinet. All was faultlessly supported by the accompanying orchestra.

A huge orchestra in a rather restricted venue was always going to be challenge when presenting an epic symphony like Elgar’s 1st. The brass and percussion could be heard strongly over the strings. The woodwind were perhaps not so fortunate. The orchestration is rather dense by today’s standards, but the string writing is sublime. This was to be Jonathan Whitehead’s swansong as Leader after four years at the helm (he’ll continue though to play in the orchestra), a position he has performed with distinction, as proven by tonight’s performance.

There is so much to relish in this piece with its noble opening theme. The lush sonorities of the Adagio were particularly effective.

The music throughout has an almost filmic quality, and presages the century ahead. The Allegro Molto could almost foreshadow Bliss’ Things to Come and even the music of John Williams. And all this in 1908 – no wonder it caused such an instant success, with one foot in imperial nostalgia and the other in an uncertain future (and how prescient was that!).

The success of orchestras is often down to a few dedicated volunteers. And so it is with Todmorden Orchestra: after 38 years of remarkable service, John and Jennifer Moorhouse are handing over most administrative duties to others (but will continue as playing members). A huge thank you – and Life Membership – was bestowed on them by truly grateful players and audience.

Another evening of great music-making, under maestro Nicholas Concannon Hodges.