And the first shall be last

THE last night of the proms in London marks the end of one of the world's greatest feasts of music-making. Worthing Philharmonic Orchestra's version is but the start of their new Assembly Hall season which comrpises four more concerts between now and June.
By The Newsroom
Published 30th Sep 2007, 18:37 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 01:06 BST

Conductor Robin Page and the Orchestra served up a magnificent British menu with added gems from France and Austria.

Walton's Crown Imperial began a first half which ended with menacing Mars and jolly Jupiter from Holst's Planets Suite. Between these titanic tours de force, we relished the beauty of Butterworth's A Shropshire Lad and the fun of Elgar's second Wand of Youth Suite, based upon tunes written to enhance childhood games.

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After the interval came Suppe's lively Light Cavalry Overture and, featuring fine work by John Buswell (flute) and the woodwind section, Faure's peaceful Pavane. The French theme continued with the waltz from Coppelia (Delibes) and Bizet's L'Arlsienne Suite No. 1 in which Chris Peryagh's sonorous saxophone solo was surely the highlight of the evening.

Elgar's Nimrod concluded the "serious part", heralding the fervent display of patriotism we all associate with the Last Night of the Proms. Armed with flags, hats and whistles, the audience played their part with gusto, transforming "Assembly" to "Royal Albert".

Pomp & Circumstance No 1 (aka Land of Hope and Glory) exuded national pride and, in Sir Henry Wood's Fantasia On British Sea-songs, Howard Burchfield's clarinet cadenza was simply stunning.

The closing numbers, Rule Britannia and Jerusalem, featured Zo Peate (violin) as vocal soloist and lusty singing from all. This fine evening's entertainment delighted everyone and the Orchestra sent us home with a rousing encore, Sousa's Liberty Bell March (aka the Monty Python Theme).

If Saturday's concert was the main course, we eagerly await the dessert!

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