Review: York Guildhall Orchestra/Simon Wright; York Barbican (From York Press)

Review: York Guildhall Orchestra/Simon Wright; York Barbican

12:05pm Monday 6th February 2012 in Music news and reviews By Martin Dreyer

A few hundred hardy souls braved Saturday’s snowstorm and were well rewarded. Astride the interval were two performances of Joanna Marsh’s brand-new Kuhayla, introduced by Mozart, Grieg and Dvorak miniatures, and followed by Brahms’s First Symphony.

Kuhayla delivers, in less than five minutes, a stirring piece of orchestration. But it is much more than that. Inspired by the cultural contours of Dubai, where the composer lives, it evokes horse racing, through which wealthier members of that community attempt to project their images, rather as westerners use smart cars.

Through the music runs propulsive excitement provided by rapid staccato figures in the winds, into which brass and strings – high and low also contrasted – inject dramatic little fanfares and flourishes. It tails off rapidly, as if hinting at ambitions yet to be fulfilled.

The second performance was most welcome: given with more passion and commitment, the music’s intent became much clearer.

Mozart’s overture to Il Seraglio had been tasteful enough. Grieg’s first Peer Gynt suite was painted in pastels rather than oils. Dvorak’s Scherzo Capriccioso, a late change, lilted pleasingly. But it was all a little humdrum.

The Brahms began in similar vein. But Simon Wright cajoled his band out of relative torpor towards real precision.

Violin and horn solos provided further uplift.

By the finale, they were all eating out of his hand, the accelerandos beautifully shaped, and the big string theme deliciously meaty.

A Wright miracle, indeed. Another one.