Royal Northern Sinfonia - September 30th, 2022

Well – what a wonderful way to start our very special 75th Anniversary Season! It’s always a real joy to hear the Royal Northern Sinfonia in Richmond and last night was no exception. The intensity and depth of string sound in Bruch’s rarely heard Octet was truly amazing. Do orchestral players bring something different to chamber music when compared to those who only ever play in smaller groups, I wonder? A point for debate. The second piece by Grace Evangeline Mason was a wonderful contrast with a real lightness and delicacy of sound that portrayed the poetry behind it so convincingly. The second half was taken up by the piece that most people, perhaps, think of in terms of octets – the Schubert Octet. It’s a monumental work and the players did it full justice, clearly showing their own enjoyment of the piece.
Photos below, credit Jane Morris Abson