City of London Sinfonia

ALISON CROOSE

Violinist Benjamin Schmid thrilled a packed audience with a memorable performance which launched the 11th CLS season at Lynn in great style.

The musician, who has been credited with creating more interest per bar than most can manage in a whole piece, demonstrated his huge skill and interpretative powers with the Sibelius violin concerto.

The composer's intimate knowledge of the violin meant he could fully exploit its technical possibilities. They set a great challenge for the performer but Schmid's exquisite playing was spellbinding.

The return of the CLS continues their established and much-appreciated tradition of interesting programming. On this occasion the concert opened with Beethoven's Overture for Goethe's play, Egmont, mirroring the turbulent atmosphere of the Flemish people under Spanish oppression.

Conductor Douglas Boyd's obvious delight and satisfaction at the conclusion of Brahm's magnificent Symphony No 2 reflected the audience's pleasure in the whole evening.

He expertly guided the orchestra through the work which, for the most part, is delightfully relaxing on the ear as it builds towards an energetic finale which explodes into a brilliant fanfare conclusion.

Boyd's enthusiastic acknowledgement of each section of his orchestra said it all.