Joyful and uplifting children’s concert

Henley Symphony Orchestra Christmas concert
Christ Church, Henley
Saturday, December 6

THIS annual festive concert was, once again, an enormously joyful and uplifting event.

Alexander Walker curated a glorious selection of seasonal music from sleigh rides to traditionally enchanting and magical classics for all ages.

The orchestra, as always, played with huge attention to detail and showcased the orchestra’s skill and ingenuity.

Sleigh Ride (Delius) set us off on an evocative, lively musical Christmas journey, setting the scene for the following captivating tale of Peter and the Wolf (Prokofiev) narrated enthusiastically by Jeremy Drakes. This provided the hugely talented wind players with an opportunity to truly shine.

Nutcracker Suite (Tchaikovsky) transported us all to Clara’s Christmas Eve party, where a musical adventure unfolded. It was a rollercoaster of a ride through the eight numbers taken from the ballet with outstanding performances from all sections of the orchestra; sparkling, haunting and fiery dances with crashing cymbals, brass fanfares, haunting woodwind, frantic strings, virtuosic flutes. A heavenly celeste (Sugar Plum Fairy) and magical harp solo (Waltz of the Flowers) simply confirmed this as one of the season’s most enchanting works.

The evening concluded with a festive favourite, Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride, which epitomises all the season’s joyfulness with playful rhythms and elaborate orchestration. The orchestra showcased the lively and humorous use of instruments, with the final horse whinny (Roger May) that has become a standard trumpet technique every serious player must perfect!

Alexander Walker’s charming and insightful commentary accompanied the pieces and encouraged a warm and inclusive atmosphere that the occasion deserved. It was immensely uplifting.

Claire Eley