Scarborough Symphony Orchestra danced the night away for their Winter 2026 concert at Methodist Central Hall, Queen Street, Scarborough
Tonight’s concert from Scarborough Symphony Orchestra was curated to a theme of ‘Dance’, our estimable conductor Shaun Matthew explained. However, this was not ‘disco’ or ‘strictly’ – this was early classical and renaissance.
The evening began with Joseph Bologne, an underrated early classical composer. He was an incredible man who overcame the societal challenges of being a ‘man of colour’ in the late 1700’s, by composing beautiful music, and becoming a virtuoso violinist as well as a champion fencer and being accorded ‘Chevalier de Saint-Georges’ – the French equivalent to a knight of the realm! His Symphony No1 is charming and lyrical and with a musical conversation akin to a fencing contest being passed between the strings and the wind. The orchestra was authentically stripped down for this piece and it was delightful to hear.
Next came my highlight of the evening, Mozart’s Concerto for Oboe and Orchestra. For the solo we were incredibly lucky to have the wonderful Esther Williams. I can honestly say I have never heard the oboe played so sweetly and with such skill. The gorgeous melodies floated gracefully around the packed house, full of character and spirit, taking the audience on a beautiful ride through the mind of the master composer, as always backed so deftly by the orchestra, giving Esther the space and balance to shine so brightly.
After the break came the Ancient Airs and Dances Suite No2 by Ottorino Respighi, a piece I had not heard before but enjoyed immensely. Based on Renaissance lute music, the four sections were all original and different, showing Respighi’s skill at transforming the mediaeval form into something more modern whilst retaining the original themes. Special mention must go to the two harpsichord players Christopher Wright and William Oseland as well as Anita Aslin on Harp.
Our grand finale for the evening was Brahms’ ‘Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel’. It’s a fairly long piece consisting of 25 variations on the theme and completed by the fugue. I felt at times like I was listening in Dolby Stereo 7.1 as the sections of the orchestra played their short segment and then passed to another section, bouncing around and not knowing where the next was going to appear. It certainly kept the audience on their toes. The variations range from intimate to epic in mood, but the final fugue is truly immense, showing a kaleidoscope of colour and range and a demonstration of real technical prowess pulled off fabulously by the orchestra.
I cannot recommend coming to see the SSO enough, you can’t beat seeing ‘live’ music and I guarantee you will not be disappointed if you give it a try. I can only urge you not to miss the next concert on May 9th 2026. Tickets and further info from www.scarborough-orchestra.org
