With Spring in the air, a sunny day, an Old Kirk filled to capacity and a 60-strong orchestra on form, Leader Vincent Gray, Conductor Graeme Wilson, Kirkcaldy Orchestral Society, Fife’s Community Orchestra, presented its third programme of the 2021/2022 season on Sunday 20th March – and did so efficiently and to the great acclaim of the audience.
The music performed had been in preparation for March 2020 but with a late cancellation then due to the first Covid-related lockdown, the chosen compositions were not aired publicly. It was a relieved KOS which presented its work on Sunday, that despite several player call-offs due to recurring Covid and other ailments.
The music was all family orientated reflecting the Family Connections theme from season 2019/2020 and carried forward to this season, ….Recovering Connections.
The theme music featuring Auld Lang Syne immediately put players and listeners at ease as the programme unfolded. The string family offered some music from Henry V by William Walton after which a wind/military band line-up performed the Duke of Cambridge March by Malcom Arnold.
The soloist in two movements from Mozart’s 3rd Horn Concerto was Sam Duzinkewycz playing tenor horn. His mellifluous tone and nimble finger work was greatly appreciated by the audience. There were two main featured works: the first performance of Concerto for Orchestra (Old Kirk Concerto No. 2) by John Gourlay, a challenging piece for the players and explained and introduced by the composer and performed with panache, while that word could easily be attached to the performance of the other main work, Danzon No. 2 by Arturo Marquez. A joyful, rhythmic and exciting composition, the orchestra clearly shared its enjoyment with the audience.
Other parts of the programme included Five Courtly Dances from Gloriana by Benjamin Britten, the Funeral March of a Marionette by Gounod and the well-known Wedding March by Mendelssohn. The concert concluded with Fanfare and Fugato by John Gourlay, a composition for and gifted to Graeme Wilson by John Gourlay in 2011 and featuring melodies associated with Robert Burns and Ayrshire, Wilson’s family birthplace.
A retiring collection in support of Ukraine via the Disasters Emergency Committee raised £320 for which KOS thanks all those who contributed.
KOS next convenes on Tuesday 7th June at 6.45pm in the Old Kirk for an open Evening, one designed to extend the season, to bring players together again and to allow interested new members to take part. Visitors are welcome to view KOS in development mode.
The orchestra recommences for the 2022/2023 season on Tuesday 16th August 2022.