Feast of music a real treat

Halle Orchestra, Bridgewater Hall, Manchester

THE Halle Orchestra burst into its 2010/11 Pops season with what can only be described as a musical explosion.

Bury-born conductor Stephen Bell led this dazzling collection of musicians through a lively “Classical Extravaganza” with only one departure from the upbeat, jolly programme — Barber’s heart-rending “Adagio for Strings”.

The Halle Orchestra and its musical director Sir Mark Elder this month won two Gramophone Awards — the first time any orchestra has won two of the prestigious gongs in the same year.

And it is easy to see how they managed to pull it off. It is nigh-on impossible to fault these world-class musicians.

Saturday’s concert explored some well-known pieces, parts of which everyone will recognise as often-heard backdrops to films and television programmes. From musicals, such as Bernstein’s energetic and vibrant dance music “Times Square” from “On the Town,” and the Suppe overture “Light Cavalry,” famously used on TV for many years to herald the winners in their lap of honour at the Horse of the Year Show.

Wagner’s “The Ride of the Valkyries” is another popular favourite, and “Jupiter” from Holst’s “The Planets” was more than apt for the concert, not least because of its subtitle “The bringer of jollity” but also by the tune in the middle, otherwise known as the hymn “I vow to thee my country”.

It is hard to single out any one musician for special praise, but Gareth Small gave a stunning solo trumpet performance in Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” and accomplished Halle leader Lyn Fletcher was also given the opportunity to show her talents in solo.

What a way to start the season, a first-class choice of programme and certainly giving the Halle Orchestra something to live up to over its remaining seven pops concerts.