Something very special happened to Barker's strings in their workshops. They seemed to grasp as one, some deeper understanding of what it is to be an ensemble. Ever since then I've been an involved observer, growing with them as every performance adds another layer of maturity and musicality.
The strings preceded the choir in tonight's high profile concert at Hearst Auditorium, Washington. To watch them take to the stage after an hour of sitting to one side in a warm and quite airless room and visibly pin the American audience back into their seats with the power of their performance was an experience that I'll relive over and over.
Their performance of the Corelli concerto displayed everything you'd ever want - outstanding leadership from Sergio Insuasti, Darcy marshalling the seconds, Jeremy's cello section playing with ever increasing flair, our younger viola section finding a maturer voice and Harry May on double bass working to integrate his sound into the ensemble. All the strings have taken on board their new baroque techniques - bow hold and phrasing - and now they've made it their own.
The bourree from the Britten Simple symphony was at turns playful, visceral, dynamically contrasted, emotional and utterly committed. The attack of the strings was breathtaking, and having been so expertly prepared by David all he has to do now is sit back and allow the wonderful and confident players to perform. It's rare that you get to watch student string players perceptibly grow in performance, I watched it tonight.
Plink plank plunk sounds deceptively easy. It is not, and full credit to the players for carrying it off and delivering the musical in jokes and punch lines. Three varied pieces, all expertly performed by committed and talented young players. I hope they're proud because I know we are.
It's a shame that these things cannot go on forever. Every time the strings play they add another level of greatness to their performance. Years from now I hope they look back on these performances and remember when they did something special, again and again and again.
Peter Ellis
The strings preceded the choir in tonight's high profile concert at Hearst Auditorium, Washington. To watch them take to the stage after an hour of sitting to one side in a warm and quite airless room and visibly pin the American audience back into their seats with the power of their performance was an experience that I'll relive over and over.
Their performance of the Corelli concerto displayed everything you'd ever want - outstanding leadership from Sergio Insuasti, Darcy marshalling the seconds, Jeremy's cello section playing with ever increasing flair, our younger viola section finding a maturer voice and Harry May on double bass working to integrate his sound into the ensemble. All the strings have taken on board their new baroque techniques - bow hold and phrasing - and now they've made it their own.
The bourree from the Britten Simple symphony was at turns playful, visceral, dynamically contrasted, emotional and utterly committed. The attack of the strings was breathtaking, and having been so expertly prepared by David all he has to do now is sit back and allow the wonderful and confident players to perform. It's rare that you get to watch student string players perceptibly grow in performance, I watched it tonight.
Plink plank plunk sounds deceptively easy. It is not, and full credit to the players for carrying it off and delivering the musical in jokes and punch lines. Three varied pieces, all expertly performed by committed and talented young players. I hope they're proud because I know we are.
It's a shame that these things cannot go on forever. Every time the strings play they add another level of greatness to their performance. Years from now I hope they look back on these performances and remember when they did something special, again and again and again.
Peter Ellis
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