National Children's Orchestra of Great Britain Leeds Town Hall Saturday, August 17

 

I have to report that the performance of Rimsky Korsakov's popular Symphonic Suite Scheherazade, given by the NCO's Under 13 Orchestra conducted by Roger Clarkson, ranks among the best that I have heard.

The discipline and maturity of the playing of getting on for 120 musicians was profoundly moving; the kaleidoscopic display of orchestral colours was dazzling. Scheherazade the Sultan's wife is portrayed by a solo violin; played on this occasion with an innate sense of the melodic line by an impossibly young lad. Conductor Roger Clarkson drew a carefully shaped and balanced performance of this orchestral showpiece from his students whose interpretation sparkled with freshness and spontaneity.

Clarkson's fast tempo in Glinka's Ruslan and Ludmilla Overture did nothing to compromise the tightness of ensemble. The pace slowed down for a sweeping, elegant performance of Weber's Invitation to the Dance beginning with a ravishingly played introduction for solo cello.

One of the most famous pieces of Mexican contemporary classical music, the Danzon No 2 by Arturo Marquez, brought the concert to a jubilant conclusion. This was performed with impeccable precision and infectious enjoyment by the gifted youngsters of the NCO whose rhythmic body movements and turning of their instruments brought the enthusiastic audience to its feet.

The NCO will shortly be featured on the BBC's "The One Show". They were busy filming the concert which also included the world premiere of "Variations on the Wombles Theme" especially for the programme! Geoffrey Mogridge