The Director of Programmes, Jim Davis , writes:-
Sunday September 6th – Peter began the month at the Dorset County Show recording interviews including one with a Regional Representative from The British Horse Society and music by the Durnovaria Silver Band.
Wednesday September 9th – Heather, Peter and myself were in St Mary’s Church, in Weymouth, for the opening concert of the 2015/2016 season of Weymouth Lunchtime Chamber Concerts. A Piano Recital by the internationally acclaimed harpsichordist and pianist, Virginia Black, playing the Weymouth Concert Grand Piano. A delightful lady playing music by Bach, Rameau and Scarlatti, plus two of my favourite piano sonatas by Mozart. Her playing and communication with the audience was outstanding and it is not difficult to see why she has so many highly acclaimed CDs on major labels. Peter was able to record an interview with her after the concert. A delightful concert with absolutely outstanding playing throughout.
On Sunday September 13th – I was in St Peter’s Church in Dorchester for Parish Evensong conducted by The Revd. Canon Thomas Woodhouse, Team Rector of Dorchester who gave a warm welcome to our listeners. The Choir was the Choir of St Peter’s Church conducted by Neil Cuthill with Alan Mallett at the organ. The Anthem was ‘Come Holy Ghost’ by the Tudor composer Orlando Gibbons.
On Wednesday 30th September two outstanding Concerts on the same day! At lunchtime Graham, Heather, Peter and myself were in St Mary’s Church in Weymouth for a Weymouth Lunchtime Chamber Concert given by Christopher Homer (Violin) and Duncan Honeybourne (Piano). A most interesting programme beginning with the Duo in A Major by Schubert, followed by the Violin Sonata by Ravel and ending with a transcription for Violin and Piano by the composer of four of his songs from the Populaire Espagnole Suite originally for mezzo—soprano and Orchestra. In 1927 Maurice Ravel had great difficulty finding anyone to give the first performance of his Violin Sonata as a number of leading players of the time dismissed the work as ‘too difficult’. However Christopher and Duncan had no problem in giving an outstanding performance of this most difficult piece. I felt that through the complete concert the interplay between violin and piano was outstanding and the playing absolutely superb. A truly outstanding Concert before a large audience.
In the evening Heather, Peter and myself were in the Dorset County Museum for the first Concert of the new Season given by the world famous Brodsky String Quartet. To date this Quartet, formed in 1972, have given over 3000 Concerts all over the world playing at every major festival and Concert Hall. They have made over 60 LPs/CDs and regularly broadcast for the BBC and Radio and Television stations all over the world. A short Scherzo by Borodin written for a Friday evening musical soiree organised by a friend in St Petersburg was followed by String Quartet in E Flat Major ‘The Harp’ by Beethoven. An outstanding performance of the piece with great interplay between the players. Interestingly the Violin and Viola players stand throughout the performance and the Cello is played from a small platform to bring it up to the level of the other players. A very unusual feature of performance. After the interval an absolutely brilliant performance of String Quartet No 9 by Shostakovich. Not an easy piece to play as this is a lengthy quartet played with no breaks between movements. This Quartet have made a great reputation in the music of Shostakovich which was reflected by their performance received with a substantial ovation by a full house at the Museum. A short encore by Elgar ended a memorable Concert. One of the most outstanding Concerts I have heard at the Museum. I feel it says something for our Radio Station that one of the world’s leading String Quartets are more than happy for us to record their Concert.