Review: Morrison's Academy schools' concert

Jun 3 2008 by Alister Y Allan

MORRISON’S Academy, Crieff, gave the fifth of this year’s school concerts at the Festival of Arts.

Their well-varied programme began with the String Orchestra and Alexandra Taylor (cello) in the Third Movement (Allegro) of Vivaldi’s Cello Concerto in A Minor. The balance between soloist and strings was good throughout, with the soloist mastering the technical difficulties.

The Flute Duo of Lindsay McDonald and Ruth Thomson gave a pleasant rendition of Intermezzo (Act III) from Bizet’s Carmen, in a very convincing arrangement.

Sopranos Hannah Logan and Rachel Cram were well matched in an expressive performance of Mendelssohn’s “I Would That My Love” and in a vivacious performance of “Laudamus Te” from Vivaldi’s Gloria, accompanied in this second piece by Rachel Smart and Emily Harrison (violins), Alexander TAylor (cello) and Director of music Howard Duthie (continuo).

Between the vocal duets, Kim Donaldson (clarinet), Rachel Smart and Christie Fraser (violins), Harriet Smythe (viola) and Alexandra Taylor (cello) performed the Larghetto form the Clarinet Quintet by Mozart. They displayed a secure sense of ensemble with excellent balance between the clarinet and the strings, with stylish interplay between the first violin and the clarinet.

Rachel Smart returned to the stage to perform the Larghetto and Allegro from Violin Sonata Op1 by Handel. This was an expressive performance, secure in technique and intonation with a real sense of Baroque Style.

The Chamber choir, conducted by Mrs Joan Taylor then sang the haunting “Bonny at Morn”, arrangement Neaum, “As Torrents in Summer” by Elgar, and “Morag’s Cradle Song” and “Air Fa-La-La-Lo” arrangement Neaum. The balance between the voices, diction, tone quality and interpretation were of the highest standard. This must be the best female voice school choir in the area. Such was the ovation that they performed a witty “Peter Piper” encore.

The piano Duet of Marianne Inglis provided a contrast, playing a convincing arrangement of “Serenade” by Haydn (from his String Quarter Op3 No5). The playing was well phrased, cleanly pedalled and stylish. Andrew Blair (trombone) provided a Blues element in “Summertime” by Gershwin. His rich tone and expressive phrasing made one feel that the piece was written for the instrument and not for the voice, so convincing was his performance. He was accompanied sensitively by Howard Duthie.

The impressive concert concluded with Lindsay McDonald (flute), Andrew Haydock, John McCalum (trumpets), Ross Jack (Tenor Saxophone), Claire Lorden (Horn), Andrew Blair and David Innes (trombones) and Alastair Hamilton (double bass) and conducted by Howard Duthie, in a performance of three contrasted pieces: “Java Jive” by Drake, “Summer Holiday” by Welka/Bennet and “There’s no Business Like Show Business” by Irving Berlin, all arranged by Sunde. The ensemble, apart from the too muted sound of the flute, was well balanced and rhythmic vitality of all three pieces was well articulated.

During the well deserved applause, Mr Duthie and all performers were rewarded with much appreciation from the audience.