The Academy of St Thomas annual concert in the magnificent setting of Salle Church is always a special occasion.

The Academy of St Thomas annual concert in the magnificent setting of Salle Church is always a special occasion.
However this year is almost did not happen, with the last minute withdrawal of Jack Liebeck through injury. However the Academy were able to secure the services of the distinguished violinist Lorraine McAslan and the concert went ahead with no other changes.
The strings directed from the front desk by Ben Lowe, were on splendid form in Mozart’s Divertimento in D K136. Tempi were well-judged with a sparkling opening allegro, warm elegant playing in the andante and a splendid final presto. The music of Handel’s A minor Concerto Grosso Opus 6 is more restrained than some of the others in the set, and perhaps more difficult to bring off, yet this was a stylish performance.
McAslan’s brought crisp elegant playing to the outer movements of the Bach A minor concerto and great beauty of sound to the slow movement though throughout the work the accompaniment was sometimes a little heavy. After the interval Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. In this, McAslan gave a performance suffused with tremendous energy displaying breathtaking virtuosity with some very fast tempi as well as beautiful imaginative playing. The opening of Summer sounded magical from both soloists and orchestra as did the sharp yet almost whispered beginning of Winter. Sometimes in the fast passages the orchestral ensemble was a little ragged but overall this was a really exciting performance and a splendid finale.

Audience comments
Excellent performance last night I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Congratulations on a superb concert on Saturday.
Your “substitute” soloist was amazing, such delicacy and vitality.
The orchestral performance was brilliantly expressive throughout but the Andante from the Bach was very special. The best I have heard you play.
That was one of the top AST/Salle nights for me!

Frank Cliff – EDP