Abirneithi Sinfonia’s triumphant season will keep strath seniors connected
A two-day extravaganza of virtuosity at Nethy Bridge Community Centre has proved music to the ears of the strath’s community bus service.
A solo recital and a full orchestral programme staged by Abirneithi Sinfonia saw over £500 raised for Where2Today?, the vital social facility run in Badenoch and Strathspey by the charity Community ConnXions.
“We really enjoyed attending the event and would like to pass on our sincere thanks to everyone involved,” said the charity CEO Donald Hall.
“We raised vital funds towards our community minibus service thanks to generous donations from the audience.”
The event spanned Saturday and Sunday and attracted sizable audiences. More than 80 packed into the centre on Sunday for Abirneithi Sinfonia’s sixth annual concert.
Joined for the first time by an operatic singer, mezzo soprano Rachael Liddell, and conducted by Steven Meikle, the Sinfonia presented an eclectic mix of orchestral music.
The concert opened with the well known “Thunder and Lightning Polka” by Strauss followed by Piazzolla’s rhythmic “Libertango”. Rachael then produced a very polished version of Handel’s operatic “Cease Ruler of the Day”.
Members of the audience commented on the numbers attending the concert and that the programme provided something of interest for everyone.
Bolcom’s “Amor” was dramatically delivered by Rachael as the character of a self-obsessed beauty with Rachael exhibiting a wide range of facial and bodily expressions to communicate the content.
Owing to an injury to the oboist, Morricone’s Gabriel’s Oboe was not featured in the programme.
Rachael sang “Scots Song” by MacMillan accompanied beautifully on the piano by conductor Steven Meikle.
One could hear a pin drop during the final diminuendo to silence.
The concert concluded with the playing of the full “Lord of the Rings” symphonic suite which was particularly well received with Rachael Liddell’s closing rendition of “In Dreams” being sympathetically supported by the full 40 strong orchestra.
The orchestral concert was preceded on Saturday by Steven Meikle’s solo percussion recital, which covered just about every percussive effect known!
From a finger harp mounted on a snare, to sending a marble circulating on the perimeter of a snare drum, to vertical opposing larger drums, to a Vibraphone, the whole performance of just over 40 minutes enthralled the 50 strong audience and produced thunderous and prolonged applause at the end of each individual piece.
“The innovative recital, very professionally supported by Aileen Anderson on piano, was a varied programme that demonstrated Steven's broad musical expertise,” said reviewer Jimmy McGuinness.
“It was no better demonstrated than by the swashbuckling gymnastic efforts in 'Crossover' on horizontal and vertical drums, and his enigmatic rendition of 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow' on vibraphone.
“The 6th Abirneithi Sinfonia was a joy to the ears. During rehearsals it was wonderful to watch 40 experienced and expert musicians hone their individual skills to create a fabulous musical unit under Mr Meikle’s guidance.
“The programme included a balanced and wonderfully executed mix of music. Congratulations must go to Bruce Davies for organising this concert every year. It’s obviously much appreciated by the musicians who seem such a happy bunch.”
