Rich interpretation of rock classics had us all yearning for memories gone by

THAMES Valley Festival Orchestra brought a joyful, life-affirming concert to their audience, presenting a rich serving of Dee Palmer’s orchestral arrangements of the Beatles’ and Queen’s music.

The large orchestra, conducted by the energetic Stephen Ellery, contained some interesting additions including a large drum kit and electric guitars, which suited the rock and pop style of the music.

In the second half, Ellery added a saxophone to his responsibilities which he played with as much vigour as he conducted. The orchestra was the inspiration of Jasmine Huxtable-Wright, an oboist. She had heard Dee Palmer’s symphonic arrangements of the Beatles, Queen and other pop and rock bands and set about establishing a new orchestra to play these arrangements. Players were selected from local orchestras and first performed in 2023.

These experienced musicians, many of whom were probably more used to playing Bach than the Beatles, clearly loved playing these arrangements and conveyed their pleasure and enthusiasm to the audience.

The first half of the concert comprised symphonic arrangements of well-known Beatles songs from the album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. The concert opened with a loud fanfare and then took us on to With a Little Help from My Friends. The drums set a steady rhythm while others in the orchestra produced the call and response we remember from this number. The brass offered a big band swing and, at times, a touch of the seaside promenade and memories of past music hall music.

Cellos brought a mellow beginning to Fixing a Hole, which danced along until the very abrupt end. Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds brought a contrasting mood commencing with silvery sparkle from violins and wind before other instruments piled in with maybe a hint of psychedelic colour. The clarinets, flute and strings were especially lovely in She’s Leaving Home, capturing the bittersweet nature of the song.

Music in the second half was taken from Palmer’s 1996 album, Passing Open Windows: A Symphonic Tribute to Queen. An opening fanfare was followed by sophisticated arrangements, including Tie Your Mother Down and Bicycle Race. In Now I’m Here the rising notes evoked the memory of Freddie Mercury’s extraordinarily stunning voice.

Innuendo was treated to a rich interpretation as well as splendid showmanship including an electric guitarist wandering through the audience. This half also included Ellery on saxophone, adding a glittering exuberance to Love of My Life and Keep Passing the Open Windows.

The final movement listed in the programme, We Are the Champions, was accompanied by much audience arm waving and singing (even if we only knew the chorus) urged on by the conductor.

The enthusiastic applause from the audience was rewarded by two encores and then a surprise, when the orchestra played the last movement of Passing Open Windows: In Memoriam …FM-MP. This gorgeous piece was written as a tribute to Freddie Mercury and Margaret Palmer. It was not on the programme and came as a marvellous surprise tribute to Dee Palmer, who was in the audience: a very fitting and moving end to the concert.