Contrasts Chamber Ensemble

Kings School Ely - Subscription Concert

The Kings School Ely Subscription Concerts continue to provide splendid music by exemplary musicians and the concert given by Contrasts Chamber Quartet was no exception.

The four musicians, Frank Allen (clarinet), Mark Watson (violin), Derek Ratcliffe (viola), and Ilse McFarlane (cello), entertained a very supportive audience superbly with a variety of pieces, many deftly arranged by Frank Allen.

The performers were well matched in technique and sensitivity to the ensemble so that the music was balanced with vital melodies clearly marked and expressiveness well channelled.

Some of the most delightful moments came in unexpected places.

Fresh colour was given to Purcell's Rondeau.

Movements from Handel's Water Music Suite gave this popular work new clarity in it's texture with the Bourrie played at an exciting pace.

The middle movement of Mozart's Clarinet Concerto was delightful with the different parts (soloist and ensemble), being able to interact most effectively and interestingly.

The interplay of parts was also a special feature of the Stamitz.

Dvorak's Slavonic Dance No.8 was both joyous and refreshingly light in texture.

The viola's contribution to Vaughan William's Greensleeves was mellow and rich.

There was some attractive movement in Debussy's The Girl with the Flaxen Hair and

Kreisler's composition Caprice Viennoise featured a deceivingly 'easy' performance of the double stopped melody.

Lehar's contribution to the repertoire was delivered with an engaging Spanish rhythmic flavour.

Percy Grainger's Shepherds Hey twinkled with this Australian's puckish brand of humour and

Puccini's O My Beloved Father incorporated a perceptive delivery of the inner harmony of the accompaniment to the splendid clarinet solo.

Idyll by Elgar was nostalgic and lyrical.

Franz von Suppe's overture from The Poet and Peasant featured delightfully sustained phrasing in the 'cello,

and the famous Bolero by Ravel contained amazingly accurate rhythmic ostinatos in each instrument.

The perceptively arranged combinations of instruments reflected the original orchestration admirably.

An encore, Polka by Johann Strauss, was a well deserved added bonus.

It is hoped that this fine group may be heard again.

R.J. Westwell - Ely Standard