The string players had a morning "string orchestra" session, while the wind players got to rest their lips until the evening, when there was a "full orchestra" session at the Holy Redeemer church Hall in Days Lane, Sidcup.
The selection of music played this evening included:
"Die Fledermaus" overture by Strauss.
"Facade Suite" by William Walton. I got to play the sax cues, as we didn't have a real sax to play the part. I should have put my plastic reed on... :-)
"London Suite" by Eric Coates. We only played a couple of movements.
"English Folk Songs" by Vaughan Williams. I have previously only played this in its original Military Band form. I found the orchestral bassoon part for the first of the three songs was not as interesting as the band bassoon part. I haven't played the second song much, so I can't really comment on the differences there, but the third song is familiar to me and although the orchestral and band parts differ, they are about equally interesting to play.
Then we got out "Land of the Mountain and Flood" by Hamish MacCunn, which is a good rousing Scottish concert overture. I've played it before, but can always enjoy playing it again. On the subject of Scottish music, some time I'd love to get a chance to play Arnold's "Tam O'Shanter" overture. It starts off with a pair of bassoons, and I've always wanted to play that bit. But I digress...
Refreshments were taken somewhere round about then, after which we went back and played the first "Carmen Suite" by Bizet. That's the one with the bassoon soli in "Les dragons d'Alcala". We had two strong bassoon players this evening and we really enjoyed that!
We finished the evening with about five of the movements from the "Pineapple Poll" ballet suite of Sir Arthur Sullivan's music arranged by Charles Mackerras. This was something else which I had played in the band, but not in an orchestra. The key was different, but I think it was actually more "bassoon friendly" than the key in which the band play the piece. The orchestral suite is also longer than the band suite which I've played.
That brought the music in Marlowe Music Week to a close. It only remained to thank Malcolm and Sheila Youngs for all their hard work in organising the week's music making, and to thank the hosts and hostesses who allowed us into their homes for the chamber music sessions. There is a Saturday evening meal to round the week off as well.
Helen
Last Revised: 10th August, 2001.