31 May 1998
The Leicestershire Schools Symphony Orchestra celebrated its first half-century of existence by giving a public ‘run-through’ (ie an informal concert) of works it has previously performed in public [and recorded on CD].  Our Society was honoured by having Brian’s 10th Symphony included.

Glinka’s Ruslan & Ludmilla overture received a brisk and bright performance which resulted in the players being called to their feet to acknowledge well-merited applause.  The following work, Bernstein’s Candide overture, resulted in a similar call.   The orchestra’s leader was the soloist in the opening movement of Bruch’s Violin Concerto no 1.  A nice clean performance but I felt it dragged a little.   A slightly faster tempo would have helped it.

Brian’s 10th came next;  a performance with noticeably clean textures and a good ensemble which the whole audience noticed.  It was very well received and the players were again asked to stand and acknowledge the applause - twice!

After a very short interval, Rachmaninov’s Symphonic Dances were played in a fine performance marred only by similar tempi in all four sections;  and again the audience demanded that the players should stand twice.

This was a real, though informal, concert and not the mere play-through the posters seemed to indicate.  Those unlucky enough not to hear it missed a real treat since, apart from the joy of hearing a live performance of a Brian work (instead of leaving it lodged in limbo), there was an atmosphere of freshness about the whole event;  the players were playing, not working.  This came over to the audience which, incidentally, also goes to prove that there is a general audience for Brian.  The musical establishment doesn’t see this.  But then there are none so blind as those who will not see.

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