The Cressingham Gardens Rotunda – one of the many things that makes the demolition-threatened estate special – hosted a concert by the Brixton Chamber Orchestra last night (22 July) that was a contrast to the noise and bustle of the Lambeth Country Show a few hundred yards away.
The recently established orchestra played both classical and adapted modern pieces, including Bach and Haydn, Frank Sinatra and Justin Timberlake, in a concert to support the campaign to stop the demolition.
Local but internationally famous Black British composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875—1912) was represented by a Nonet.
He lived in South Norwood and Croydon. In his day, he sold out the Royal Albert Hall for weeks at a time with his music-drama Hiawatha’s Wedding Feast. Today, his music is rarely performed and few have heard of him. As fellow South-Londoners, BCO champions his music whenever possible.
The Nonet played by the BCO was composed in 1894, while Coleridge-Taylor was completing his studies at the Royal College of Music.
“The energy sustained throughout is astounding, and the variation in texture across the ensemble continually reinvigoratos the sound,” says BCO director Matthew O’Keeffe.
Performers:
1st Violin —Sarah Daramy-Williams
2nd Violin — Andrew Liddell
Viola —Johan Hoglind
Cello — Daryl Giuliano
Bass — Manuel dell’Oglio
Flute — Imogen Morrall
Oboe — David Hasler
Clarinet — Poppy Beddoe
Bassoon — Caitlin Stock
Horn — John Parker
Trumpet—Chris Vickers
Keys — Andrew Tait
Voice — Megan McArthur
Directed by Matthew O’Keeffe
If you would like to find out more about BCO, or to support it, get in touch by email: brixchamber@gmail.com
The orchestra would welcome suggestions for performance venues and opportunities and also hears auditions by appointment.
