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Review of Going for Baroque
Milton Keynes' own professional orchestra gave a scintillating performance
of four concertos last Sunday at the Milton Keynes Theatre. The seasonal
theme came from a delightful rendition of an early concerto by the 17th
century Italian master, Corelli. The last movement of this concerto is a
gentle depiction of the shepherds in the fields above Bethlehem at the
first Christmas. The small orchestra produced a wonderful portrait which
the appreciative audience enjoyed with rapt attention. Bach wrote six
concertos for the Margrave of Brandenburg. The MKCO is presenting them in
two parts and the final three were given at this concert. The ensemble was
directed in the fourth and fifth Brandenburgs by violin soloist Diana
Cummings who was joined by other soloists chosen from the orchestra. The
sixth Brandenburg is a dark hued masterpiece which has no violins. For a
rare treat, the principal viola of the orchestra, Donald McVay, was the
director and principal soloist. The performance was no less memorable than
those for the full orchestra. Don't miss the remaining three Brandenburg
concertos on 9th May - they promise to be another treat.
Reviewer: Roy Tipping
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