Recovering Connections 2, 12 December 2021

Type of post: Orchestra news item
Sub-type: No sub-type
Posted By: Carol Moran
Status: Current
Date Posted: Tue, 28 Dec 2021
The Old Kirk in Kirkcaldy was full to Covid-safe capacity on Sunday 12th December for the performance by Fife's Community Orchestra, KIRKCALDY ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY, all tickets sold 10 days in advance of the concert!

With more than 50 players in the orchestra - drawing members from across Fife, Edinburgh and Glasgow and conducted by Graeme Wilson, the performance sought to give some Winter cheer to the audience.

Unusually for this time of year, KOS performed alone and gave one concert having taken the decision to restrict its numbers, so no Langtoun Singers, no story, no audience carol singing and the usual pattern of concert presentation reduced from two to one.

With a current theme of ….Recovering Connections linking back into the community, the Orchestra's Season theme music of Auld Lang Syne set the scene for the afternoon presentation creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere through music making of the highest order. This was followed by a short Fanfare for Christmas by the late Bruce Fraser.  Sunday’s concert was the second of KOS's programmes in their current season.

Despite all the care and caution, the orchestra warmed immediately to its task of lifting the spirits of all present. Audience reaction indicated that the programme of Winter and Christmas music appealed. The first main work was by Philip Lane, An Overture on French Carols featuring some lovely solo playing. A flurry of sleigh rides provided fun, reflection and excitement, those from Mozart, Albert Matt, Delius and Leroy Anderson. Anderson’s Christmas Festival, always a winner, with its mix of carols and winter tunes had the audience cheering and showing its delight. In December 2019 at its previous Winter performance, KOS featured the first movement of Victor Hely-Hutchinson's Carol Symphony with a powerful rendition of Adeste Fidelis portrayed through a brass chorale. Repeated on Sunday, the orchestra added the second movement, Scherzo, based on God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen. John Gourlay’s new composition We Wish You A Merry Fugue (We Wish You A Merry Christmas differently) was greatly appreciated by players and audience alike, sufficiently so for it be encored at the end of the concert.

The Orchestra's next performance will be …Recovering Connections 3, Spring on Sunday 20th March 2022 in the Old Kirk, Kirkcaldy at 3pm, featuring Arturo Marquez's Danzon No.2, a new work, Concerto for Orchestra by John Gourlay, and some family favourites.