East Midlands Region

'Warm, sunny evening on a rainy night'

'Church packed out for a feast of intense classics'

A veritable feast of music by the greatest two composers of the late 18th century - Haydn and Mozart - was given by the combined forces of the Louth Choral Society and London Mozart Players in St James' Church on Sunday 18th April, The concert was promoted by Louth and District Concert Society and East Lindsey District Council through their Orchestra in Residency scheme.

The concert opened with Mozart's Serenade in D major, a delightful piece of music from 1776. It is scored for string orchestra plus a quintet made up of two violins and viola, plus double bass and most unusually, timpani. This three movement work was sensitively phrased and provided an evocation of a warm, sunny Austrian summer's evening on a cold, rainy night in Louth!

The high quality of the orchestral playing became even more evident in Haydn's splendid Symphony No 92 in G major, known in this country as the Oxford on account of its performance in 1791 when Haydn received an Honorary Doctorate from Oxford University. It is a happy light hearted but beautifully written work with everything from delicious tunes through felicitous harmonies to erudite counterpoint. The blend between the woodwind, brass and strings was excellent, and the rhythmic impetus was carried along beautifully. The dignified lyricism of the slow movement was caught to perfection and the infectious gaiety of the last movement was a delight from beginning to end.

The second half of the concert was devoted to music of a very different nature, Mozart's Requiem in D minor, which tragically was his own last composition in 1791. In this work the orchestra was joined by Louth Choral Society and a fine set of soloists under the sensitive direction of the Choral Society's regular conductor Martin Pickering. The Choral Society was on top form in all departments and the distinguished orchestral playing provided excellent support. Particularly striking was the way in which Martin Pickering brought out the intense emotional content of the music., from the most beautifully toned and controlled quiet singing and playing to the high drama of the more climactic parts of the work.

A truly memorable performance, and in front of a capacity audience. The concert was a sell out and in all respects a triumph for the organisers and volunteers, who worked so hard behind the scenes at this prestigious event.

Craig Pillans

A ticket sell out for Louth & District Concert Society.

A Concert partnership with London Mozart Players & Louth Choral Society

A whole army of volunteers have made this concert possible, and without their support a small society like ours would not have managed

In terms of music this concert is a good example of what comes from a joint venture as sharing it with Louth Choral Society which has brought in the prestigious quartet of soloists.

We never envisaged earlier last year that we would have such a highlight concert. Of course none of this would have been possible without East Lindsey's District Council's innovative orchestra in residency the London Mozart Players and the many sponsors of the programme. It is marvellous that the residency has been extended, so that we can enjoy three more years of concerts in East Lindsey by the London Mozart Players.

John Smith - Chairman

Louth & District Concert Society