Mozart Orchestra’s Family Concert

CHRISTOPHER SMITH

First the fanfare, next the gallop, to be followed by a pensive moment, then back to the thrills of vivid music.

What could have been better than the overture to William Tell to start the Mozart Orchestra's Family Concert? Vivid in colour, open-hearted in emotions, it had too those famous Rossini crescendos to bring excitement up to fever pitch.

After that Benjamin Britten's Young Person's Guide gave each player a chance to make a personal contribution. At the same time every member of the audience had the opportunity of adding to the pleasure of listening by discovering just a little bit better how the orchestra works its varied magic.

More fireworks were to follow, in Handel's splendidly forthright composition for the royal celebration.

The brass roared, the percussion struck many a canny blow, and once again conductor John Traill made certain that the melody emerged, triumphant and splendidly confident.

Blue Peter's Simon Thomas, who up to now had served as a helpful compère, came to the fore in Peter And The Wolf. After explaining Prokofiev's musical language, he set out on the engaging tale that evokes country life with such charm.

John Williams' Harry Potter suite made a resounding finale, to send a large audience away in the happiest of moods.