Review: Ilkley Philharmonic Orchestra, All Saints Parish Church

SCHUBERT, Weber and Mendelssohn were the composers featured in this refreshing programme devised by John Anderson, conductor and artistic director of the Ilkley Philharmonic Orchestra.

Schubert’s lively Rosamunde Overture was the rousing curtain raiser to a sparkling candlelit concert. The Concerto in F for Bassoon & Orchestra by Carl Maria von Weber provided the centrefold. Weber’s writing for the solo bassoon, especially the Adagio movement, has an operatic flavour. Soloist Rosemary Anderson created lovely singing phrases and she revealed the humour in Weber’s jaunty finale with its rapid changes of gear and virtuosic staccato passages.

Mendelssohn’s ‘Scottish’ Symphony No 3 in A minor was inspired by the same visit to Scotland that produced the elemental force of his ‘Hebrides’ Overture. The ‘Scottish’ Symphony evokes space, nobility and grandeur in its forty-minute duration. This is actually Mendelssohn’s 5th and final Symphony although it was the 3rd to be published - hence the numbering. His earlier ‘Reformation’ Symphony is now No 5 simply because it was the last to be published.

Mendelssohn specified that the four movements must be played without breaks for coughing. The composer’s instruction was faithfully observed by John Anderson and the Ilkley Philharmonic. A storm tossed 1st movement segued into the lively folk dance inspired 2nd movement. The ruined Chapel of Hollyrood Palace, a scene of half-light and shadows, was Mendelssohn’s inspiration for the 3rd movement. Restless syncopations of battle infuse the fast and furious finale. John Anderson united the thematic strands into a cogent whole; realised by his orchestra with tonal splendour and latent power unleashed - to the delight of the All Saints audience.

Ilkley Philharmonic Orchestra’s New Year Gala Concert in the King’s Hall, on Saturday, January 4th, 2025 at 7.30pm, will be a first for the town. John Anderson and his Orchestra will be joined by nineteen dancers from the Academy of Leeds based Northern Ballet and soprano Rowena Thornton; for lollipops by the Strauss Family, Tchaikovsky, Puccini, Lehar and Nicolai.