IT is not often one gets to hear Elgar’s Second Symphony; rarer still to hear it in the same concert as a progressive ceilidh band from Newcastle. York Symphony Orchestra’s imaginative concert at the University of York revealed, above all, joy in music-making.

The famous “buzzing” from the strings announced Vaughan Williams’ energetic overture to The Wasps. Its various themes and instrumental colours were well balanced for this showpiece of orchestration.

There is a good reason why Walton’s Crown Imperial is widely performed: it is marvellous fun. In this spirit, YSO revelled in every pompous walking bass line, cymbal clash (a staggering number), every prolonged bass pedal note, and all its gloriously drawn-out phrases.

A highlight was the premiere of the original and catchy Concerto for Ceilidh Band and Orchestra, composed by YSO violinist David Truswell. The Monster Ceilidh Band joined forces with the orchestra to create a type of sinfonia concertante. These unlikely forces gelled well, as the whole string section supported the fiddles’ folk-like virtuosity with lyrical washes.

Elgar’s huge Symphony No. 2 is a difficult beast to manage. However, conductor Alasdair Jamieson led his team admirably through its slowly-cogitating motions towards grand, emotional climaxes. Its richness shone through, as carefully-handled dynamics left Elgar’s closing pathos hanging in the air.

York may be justly proud of its oldest amateur orchestra’s professional attitude and approachability. Its next concert is on July 1.                                                                                                          

Review by Owen Burton