PERTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA. A SHORT HISTORY (1953- 2003)
All archive information compiled by Carolyn Bell, former oboe player with PSO
Conductors John McLeod, Noel de Jongh, Allan Young, Iain Campbell, Euan Fairbairn at PSO's 50th anniversary dinner in November 2003
Orchestra Leaders Margaret MacDonald, Esther Taylor, Allan Young, Lorna McGovern at PSO's 50th anniversary dinner in November 2003
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Conductors
Ernest Monk 1953-1954 Bela de Csillery 1955-1962 Iain Campbell 1962-1965 John McLeod 1965-1973 Nöel de Jongh 1973-1980 Euan Fairbairn 1979-87 Chris Griffiths 1987-1990 Christopher Tambling 1986 & 1991-1997 Henry Neil 1997 Allan Young 1998 - 2025 |
Leaders
Margaret MacDonald 1953 Bela de Csillery 1954 Esther Taylor 1955-1988 Chris Higgins (guest) 1988-1989 Allan Young 1989-1997 Lorna McGovern 1998 - present |
Once upon a time there was no Symphony Orchestra in Perth. Then some people decided that there should be and started one. They played happily for 50 years and still do. This, in essence, is the history of Perth Symphony Orchestra, today a happy group of around 50 amateur and professional musicians who meet once a week in all but the summer months to rehearse orchestral music for regular concerts each autumn and spring. But of course reality is a little more complicated than fairy tales and Perth Symphony Orchestra did not appear overnight.
The story really begins back in 1948 when an orchestra continuation (evening) class was run under the education authorities by Jack McConnell, a violin teacher from Strathallan school. This class met every Tuesday evening in the Old Balhousie Boy's School in Dunkeld Road. There was no lack of enthusiasm for the music of the continuation class but it floundered due to the 'high fees' imposed and eventually Louis J Barnett, who was at the time a music teacher employed by Perth and Kinross Education Committee, called a public meeting in the Chapter House of St Ninian's Cathedral on Wednesday 7th November 1951 at which it was unanimously decided to form a organisation "The Perth Orchestral Society" with the establishment of an orchestra as its principal aim. Forty-two people had already given their names and announced their willingness to play. After discussion, Mr A Ernest Monk was appointed as conductor, Miss Margaret McDonald as leader, and the society's committee was: Mr Arthur Poyser, Chairman, Mr R Barnett, Secretary and Treasurer, Mr Eddie Connor, Mr A Cruickshank, Miss Margaret McDonald, Mr A Ernest Monk, Miss Rita Scott and Miss Elspbeth Stirling. The Prolvost of St Ninian's Cathedral granted the Society the use of the Chapter House as a rehearsal room for a nominal rent to defray lighting and heating costs. The annual subscription of the Society was set at £1 to cover the costs of the players' scores and the first rehearsal was set to be on Wednesday 14th November 1951 at 7.30 p.m. As reported by the local press at the time "the first steps towards placing Perth on the Musical map had been taken."
After 18 months of doubts, financial worry and hard pioneering work giving small scale concerts out of town to introduce the public to orchestral music, Perth Symphony Orchestra gave its first ever annual orchestral concert under the baton of Mr A. Ernest Monk with leader Miss Margaret McDonald. For this portentous occasion the orchestra was augmented by fifteen players from Dundee and six instrumentalists from Perth Silver Band making a total of fifty-one players. The ticket prices were: Dress Circle 4 shillings [20p], Front Stalls 3 shillings, Pit Stalls and Upper Circle 2 shillings and the Gallery 1 shilling. Programmes were sixpence. Pupils from Perth Academy acted as stewards. As was customary then the evening began with God Save the Queen. The following review written by Bruce McKercher appeared in the Perthshire Advertiser of 29th April 1953:
PERTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The Perth Symphony Orchestra (conductor Mr A Ernest Monk; leader, Miss Margaret McDonald) made a conspicuous success of their first annual concert in the Theatre on Sunday evening. The programme consisting of works by Beethoven, Haydn, Boyce and Tchaikowski, showed not only great promise but very substantial achievement. There was evidence of thoughtful preparation, and if there were some less happy moments these could be overlooked in view of the generally excellent standard reached.
Beethoven's "Egmont" overture had a somewhat nervous opening, but the players soon got into their stride and the interpretation was on sound classical lines. Two symphonies, a charming little one by William Boyce and Haydn's well-known "Military," made up the bulk of the programme, which was nicely rounded off by two numbers form the popular "Swan Lake" ballet of Tchaikovski. The Haydn was a happy choice and there was very good work in it. If one were to go into details, it might be suggested that in the second movement there was a little too much shading off of phrase endings, and that the Minuetto was taken rather on the fast side; a stricter observance of the direction "allegro non troppo" would have given more security.
It was a great misfortune that Miss June Lawrence was unable to appear, owning to having sustained a fractured ankle early in the week. All would join in the message of sympathy and good wishes sent her by the honorary president of the society, Col A Gomme-Duncan. At very short notice, Mr Alastair Moncreiff took over her role as soloist in Beethoven's piano concerto in C minor, Op 37. In the circumstances one would have been prepared to accord to Mr Moncrieff the goodwill which sends one's critical facilities to sleep, but the performance proved admirable in every respect. Mr Moncrieff is a pianist of whom more will undoubtedly be heard. He played with not only complete technical assurance but with an insight into the music of Beethoven quite exceptional in a young man who has only just completed his training. A famous Glasgow teacher used to say to pupils who had studied with him certain Beethoven sonatas " Now you can play the notes and when you get to about fifty you may begin to understand the meaning lf the music." Judging by his performance on Sunday Mr Moncrieff seems to have reached maturity at half that age.
It will be the wish of everybody that a local orchestra such as this should go on from strength to strength, and Mr Monk and the players under his instruction have proved themselves worthy of the support which is solicited on a page of the programme. For once we have the pleasure of recording that an orchestral concert in Perth was well attended."
Ernest Monk conducted another successful concert with PSO in 1954 and then moved from the area.
The second conductor of Perth Symphony Orchestra was Hungarian born Dr Bela de Csillery, a highly disciplined individual of immense character and ability, whose boundless energy and enthusiasm inspired those around him to achieve things they did not think possible. He devised exercises to enable amateur players to cope with difficult passages. He appealed for instrumental tuition to be available in schools. He publicised the orchestra and put in on a sound financial footing. He had the Perth City Hall platform extension built so that orchestras could be seated there. He brought a series of brilliant young artists to Perth to perform as soloists before they became famous. Such was his effect on the area that in 1960 the Perthshire Advertiser reviewer Bruce McKercher was inspired to write:
"There was once upon a time in the city of Perth an amateur orchestra which was no better (and probably no worse) than any other amateur orchestra in any other provincial town. Then at a certain point in its history, Dr Bela de Csillery ascended the rostrum and things began to hum."
At the end of 1961 Bela de Csillery was appointed Kent County Music Advisor and moved away from Perth. However true to form he kept his promise of preparing and conducting PSO for one last May concert travelling 1000 miles per week by night train to do so! Csillery's leaving concert on Sunday 13th May 1962 was attended by 758 people. 68 people played in the orchestra including such well known musicians as Marie Dare, Stanley Rimmer, Pamela Dow and Noel de Jongh who was to become PSO conductor in 1973. At the time Perth Orchestral Society had 191 associate members, and was supported by the Cross Trust, the Duncan Charitable Trust, the Gannochy Trust and 22 local firms - a local institution indeed !
Csillery's successor was Iain Campbell, a talented and enthusiastic 23 year old from Glasgow who had already gained much conducting experience through his work with three Glasgow groups: the Cecilian Society, the Unitarian Youth Orchestra and Drawing Room Music Society. In addition he was an accomplished pianist and viola player. Like Csillery he conducted both PSO and Perth Choral Society, travelling from Glasgow twice a week to do so. He had a successful three seasons with the orchestra producing ten concerts, all of which received good reports in the press.
In the early 1960s the orchestra was composed mainly of strings with the odd wind player, local professionals and outsiders being brought in at the last minute to fill the gaps for the concerts. Iain Campbell therefore always tried to include a string piece in the programme to give the local regulars their share of the limelight: these included Holst's St Paul's Suite, Britten's Simple Symphony, Elgar's Serenade in E minor, Grieg's Holberg Suite, and Dag Wiren's Serenade for Strings. He also included some modern works, notably Malcolm Arnold's Symphony No 2. which met with mixed opinions! Many felt that Perth was not ready for such music but others were enthusiastic.
Iain Campbell now lives in Orkney and looks back on his days with PSO with much pleasure, the company of so many enthusiastic players richly rewarding the taxing twice-a-week commute from Glasgow. Once this went amusingly wrong. He remembers:
"I would stagger across to the station, fall into the 'milk train' and arrive in Glasgow about midnight. On one occasion I followed this same routine, but was surprised to find the train running early but taking some time to arrive in Glasgow. Eventually I did arrive - in Carlisle! The Inverness/King's Cross train was running late and had occupied the identical platform where my milk train should have been. Needless to say I arrive home very late that night and was worth very little at school the next day!"
When Iain Campbell moved south to a new post John McLeod became PSO's conductor for the next eight seasons. The McLeod years proved to be most exciting and innovative ones for both Perth Symphony Orchestra and Choral Society. A skilled teacher, clarinettist and composer, John McLeod bought contemporary and unusual music to Perth as well as performing many pieces from the established concert repertoire. In his eight seasons with PSO he conducted over thirty concerts in the Perth City Hall and was responsible for many interesting premieres as well as introducing his own and other contemporary composers' works. In his own words:
"Of course I have vivid memories of my time with the PSO and I was surprised and delighted that the committee allowed me to programme so many unusual and ambitious works that I wanted to do ranging from the British Premiere of Shostakovich's Overture on Russian and Kirghiz themes, the Scottish premieres of Mahler's Waldmarchen, Prokofiew's 'Alexander Nevsky', and Shostakovich's 'Katerina Ismailova' Interludes and 'The execution of Stephan Razin' (with Perth Choral Society). These were in addition to a full repertoire of classical and romantic works which included Beethoven's 9th Symphony - no mean achievement for and amateur orchestra."
As well as composing works for Perth Symphony Orchestra and bringing so many premieres to Perth, John McLeod was instrumental in starting Perth's Festival of the Arts. Indeed the first Perth Festival of the Arts opened with a Gala Concert given by Perth Choral and Orchestral Societies conducted by John McLeod. Happily for Perth both the concert and the festival were a success.
John McLeod moved on from PSO and was succeeded by Noel de Jongh who had a long association with music in Perthshire. Between 1954 and 1962 he was assistant music master at Trinity College Glenalmond and played timpani, and later trombone and tuba for Perth Symphony Orchestra under Bela de Csillery. He was also accompanist to Perth Choral Society. From 1962-1966 whilst he was Director of music at Bloxham School, Banbury, he conducted the Banbury Symphony Orchestra and Operatic society and studied conducting with George Hurst, Norman del Mar and Sir Adrian Boult. He later returned to Perth to become director of music at Glenalmond and was appointed conductor of both Perth Symphony Orchestra and Perth Choral Society in 1973.
In a recent letter to Perth Symphony Orchestra Noel de Jongh paid tribute to the many people he worked with during his time as conductor:
"I had the great good fortune to be conductor from 1973 - 1980, and while memory of much of the detail has faded after 23 years , my abiding memory of the orchestra is of the loyalty, dedication, hard work, patience, good humour and friendliness of the players throughout.
During Noel's time as conductor, Perth Symphony Orchestra worked with many eminent soloists and he has some amusing anecdotes to relate. Of the famous oboist Leon Goosens Noel recalls:
"We were delighted to welcome the famous international oboist Leon Goossens to play the Mozart Oboe Concerto. At the rehearsal. he asked us to "warm up" with the overture first, and waited in the artist's room, no doubt with one ear cocked. So all duly warmed up, I went down to collect him. Instead of leaping to his feet, oboe at the ready, he simply handed me his own personal tuning fork, with the instruction "Take that to your first oboe, will you?" So the orchestra re-tuned and rehearsal and concert went smoothly. Leon wrote on a signed programme for me "With many thanks for the excellent co-op."
He also had the awesome responsibility for accompanying Bela Csillery's second wife, the well known violinist Gillian Sansom!
"Amongst other soloists Iona Brown played the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto and Bela Csillery's wife Gillian Sansom, played the Bruch Violin Concerto. I confess I breathed a sigh of relief when I heard that Bela would be unable to attend, knowing that if we were not up to playing well for Gillian, there would be words. However, in the event, Bela did turn up, large as life, and pronounced that "After all, the orchestra is even better now." Phew!"
When Noel de Jongh took ill shortly before the November 1979 concert, Euan Fairbarin stood in for him with great success and on Noel's retirement was asked to become PSO's conductor. As a schoolboy in the fifties Euan was a regular attender at PSO concerts and was instrumental in persuading Bela de Csillery to give a talk "On Conducting" at his school, Morrison's Academy in Crieff. He later joined the orchestra as a percussionist in 1967 when he came to Perth Academy to teach mathematics. In the mid seventies he left teaching to study music at Napier college and gained diplomas in percussion and conducting and an award as top music student.
Looking back over his years as conductor Euan Fairbairn felt his main achievement was introducing the orchestra to the works of composers whose music they had not played before. The list is quite long: Auber, Sir Arthur Bliss, Cherubini, Delibes, Percy Granger, Herold, John Ireland, Lehar, George Lloyd, Luigini, Massenet, Meyerbeer, Moussorgsky, Rodrigo. The most rewarding of these was probably Perth Symphony Orchestra's performance in March 1983 of the sixth symphony of the Cornish composer George Lloyd which was written in 1956. This was the fourth ever performance of the work and the first Scottish performance of any of his symphonies. It was well received by both the local and national press.
Perth Symphony Orchestra's seventh conductor was Chris Griffiths, a French horn player who studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London with Barry Tuckwell. He was principal horn with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra before returning to free-lancing and moving to Perth. With his considerable experience of working with youth orchestras he encouraged young local players to join the orchestra and number of regular orchestra members increased under his baton. In the November 1988 concert he combined his role as conductor with that of horn soloist along with Heather Nicoll (clarinet), Laura Young (oboe) and Chris Robson (bassoon) in a memorably good performance of Mozart's charming Sinfonia Concertante in E. Not surprisingly under Chris Griffith's baton Perth Symphony Orchestra often played works with prominent brass parts. The most unusual of these was the Concertino No.4 Opus 4 in Eb for trombone and orchestra by Ferdinand David (1810 - 1873). The orchestra performed this rare work in February 1989 with the soloist Alan Pash, the principal trombone player of the Scottish Opera Orchestra. Respected for his teaching of technical expertise and originality of programming Chris conducted a final successful concert in November 1990 before moving to Newcastle to work with the Northern Sinfonia.
In 1991 Chris Griffiths was succeeded by another Chris, Chris Tambling organist, composer, choirmaster and Director of Music at Trinity College, Glenalmond. An energetic and enthusiastic musician, Chris Tambling also combined his role as conductor with that of performer on a number of occasions and enjoyed collaborating with other groups such as Perthshire Brass, Perth Choral Society and Glenalmond choirs. His own words convey excellently some of the fun and backgroud work of putting on concerts:
"I miss PSO desperately - I really did enjoy being involved with the concert planning, the rehearsals, and all of those wonderful concerts in the City Hall. It was such a treat working with such enthusiastic players and with such a supportive committee - all of the stands put out, the posters, the refreshments…So many things stand out as memorable. I have very fond memories of my first appearance on the City Hall stage - the Strauss Oboe Concerto with Laura Young's ravishing playing and Frances McCafferty's fabulous 'Sea Pictures'. It was good too to work with other talented soloists - I especially enjoyed joining with Allan Young and Nick Smith in Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No.5: that was the concert that nearly didn't happen, because the minibus I was using to transport the harpsichord skidded in snow on the road from Glenalmond!"
When Chris Tambling moved south to a new post (the 'fate' of so many PSO conductors!) PSO's president Henry Neil stood in to conduct a most successful combined concert with Perth Amateur Operatic Society and Perth Cathedral Operatic group before the orchestra's leader Allan Young took up the baton in 1998.
As the co-ordinator of Instrumental Instruction in Perth and Kinross, PSO's current conductor Allan Young is keen to promote musical education and collaborations between the region's various instrumental groups, especially those involving youngsters. Thus the orchestra's concerts over the past few years have featured successful joint ventures with the Band of the 51st Highland Brigade, Perthshire Brass, Perth and Kinross Big Band, members of Perth Youth Orchestra and some very talented young soloists who began their musical education through the region's instrumental Instruction Service.
Happily these collaborations have brought in new blood to Perth Symphony Orchestra. For example, for the first time in its history, PSO has a regular brass section making rehearsals much more enjoyable and meaningful for all. The orchestra's next aim is to increase audience numbers back to the capacity audiences enjoyed in the past when there were fewer demands on people's leisure time. Perth Symphony Orchestra looks forward to the next fifty years with excitement!
The story really begins back in 1948 when an orchestra continuation (evening) class was run under the education authorities by Jack McConnell, a violin teacher from Strathallan school. This class met every Tuesday evening in the Old Balhousie Boy's School in Dunkeld Road. There was no lack of enthusiasm for the music of the continuation class but it floundered due to the 'high fees' imposed and eventually Louis J Barnett, who was at the time a music teacher employed by Perth and Kinross Education Committee, called a public meeting in the Chapter House of St Ninian's Cathedral on Wednesday 7th November 1951 at which it was unanimously decided to form a organisation "The Perth Orchestral Society" with the establishment of an orchestra as its principal aim. Forty-two people had already given their names and announced their willingness to play. After discussion, Mr A Ernest Monk was appointed as conductor, Miss Margaret McDonald as leader, and the society's committee was: Mr Arthur Poyser, Chairman, Mr R Barnett, Secretary and Treasurer, Mr Eddie Connor, Mr A Cruickshank, Miss Margaret McDonald, Mr A Ernest Monk, Miss Rita Scott and Miss Elspbeth Stirling. The Prolvost of St Ninian's Cathedral granted the Society the use of the Chapter House as a rehearsal room for a nominal rent to defray lighting and heating costs. The annual subscription of the Society was set at £1 to cover the costs of the players' scores and the first rehearsal was set to be on Wednesday 14th November 1951 at 7.30 p.m. As reported by the local press at the time "the first steps towards placing Perth on the Musical map had been taken."
After 18 months of doubts, financial worry and hard pioneering work giving small scale concerts out of town to introduce the public to orchestral music, Perth Symphony Orchestra gave its first ever annual orchestral concert under the baton of Mr A. Ernest Monk with leader Miss Margaret McDonald. For this portentous occasion the orchestra was augmented by fifteen players from Dundee and six instrumentalists from Perth Silver Band making a total of fifty-one players. The ticket prices were: Dress Circle 4 shillings [20p], Front Stalls 3 shillings, Pit Stalls and Upper Circle 2 shillings and the Gallery 1 shilling. Programmes were sixpence. Pupils from Perth Academy acted as stewards. As was customary then the evening began with God Save the Queen. The following review written by Bruce McKercher appeared in the Perthshire Advertiser of 29th April 1953:
PERTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The Perth Symphony Orchestra (conductor Mr A Ernest Monk; leader, Miss Margaret McDonald) made a conspicuous success of their first annual concert in the Theatre on Sunday evening. The programme consisting of works by Beethoven, Haydn, Boyce and Tchaikowski, showed not only great promise but very substantial achievement. There was evidence of thoughtful preparation, and if there were some less happy moments these could be overlooked in view of the generally excellent standard reached.
Beethoven's "Egmont" overture had a somewhat nervous opening, but the players soon got into their stride and the interpretation was on sound classical lines. Two symphonies, a charming little one by William Boyce and Haydn's well-known "Military," made up the bulk of the programme, which was nicely rounded off by two numbers form the popular "Swan Lake" ballet of Tchaikovski. The Haydn was a happy choice and there was very good work in it. If one were to go into details, it might be suggested that in the second movement there was a little too much shading off of phrase endings, and that the Minuetto was taken rather on the fast side; a stricter observance of the direction "allegro non troppo" would have given more security.
It was a great misfortune that Miss June Lawrence was unable to appear, owning to having sustained a fractured ankle early in the week. All would join in the message of sympathy and good wishes sent her by the honorary president of the society, Col A Gomme-Duncan. At very short notice, Mr Alastair Moncreiff took over her role as soloist in Beethoven's piano concerto in C minor, Op 37. In the circumstances one would have been prepared to accord to Mr Moncrieff the goodwill which sends one's critical facilities to sleep, but the performance proved admirable in every respect. Mr Moncrieff is a pianist of whom more will undoubtedly be heard. He played with not only complete technical assurance but with an insight into the music of Beethoven quite exceptional in a young man who has only just completed his training. A famous Glasgow teacher used to say to pupils who had studied with him certain Beethoven sonatas " Now you can play the notes and when you get to about fifty you may begin to understand the meaning lf the music." Judging by his performance on Sunday Mr Moncrieff seems to have reached maturity at half that age.
It will be the wish of everybody that a local orchestra such as this should go on from strength to strength, and Mr Monk and the players under his instruction have proved themselves worthy of the support which is solicited on a page of the programme. For once we have the pleasure of recording that an orchestral concert in Perth was well attended."
Ernest Monk conducted another successful concert with PSO in 1954 and then moved from the area.
The second conductor of Perth Symphony Orchestra was Hungarian born Dr Bela de Csillery, a highly disciplined individual of immense character and ability, whose boundless energy and enthusiasm inspired those around him to achieve things they did not think possible. He devised exercises to enable amateur players to cope with difficult passages. He appealed for instrumental tuition to be available in schools. He publicised the orchestra and put in on a sound financial footing. He had the Perth City Hall platform extension built so that orchestras could be seated there. He brought a series of brilliant young artists to Perth to perform as soloists before they became famous. Such was his effect on the area that in 1960 the Perthshire Advertiser reviewer Bruce McKercher was inspired to write:
"There was once upon a time in the city of Perth an amateur orchestra which was no better (and probably no worse) than any other amateur orchestra in any other provincial town. Then at a certain point in its history, Dr Bela de Csillery ascended the rostrum and things began to hum."
At the end of 1961 Bela de Csillery was appointed Kent County Music Advisor and moved away from Perth. However true to form he kept his promise of preparing and conducting PSO for one last May concert travelling 1000 miles per week by night train to do so! Csillery's leaving concert on Sunday 13th May 1962 was attended by 758 people. 68 people played in the orchestra including such well known musicians as Marie Dare, Stanley Rimmer, Pamela Dow and Noel de Jongh who was to become PSO conductor in 1973. At the time Perth Orchestral Society had 191 associate members, and was supported by the Cross Trust, the Duncan Charitable Trust, the Gannochy Trust and 22 local firms - a local institution indeed !
Csillery's successor was Iain Campbell, a talented and enthusiastic 23 year old from Glasgow who had already gained much conducting experience through his work with three Glasgow groups: the Cecilian Society, the Unitarian Youth Orchestra and Drawing Room Music Society. In addition he was an accomplished pianist and viola player. Like Csillery he conducted both PSO and Perth Choral Society, travelling from Glasgow twice a week to do so. He had a successful three seasons with the orchestra producing ten concerts, all of which received good reports in the press.
In the early 1960s the orchestra was composed mainly of strings with the odd wind player, local professionals and outsiders being brought in at the last minute to fill the gaps for the concerts. Iain Campbell therefore always tried to include a string piece in the programme to give the local regulars their share of the limelight: these included Holst's St Paul's Suite, Britten's Simple Symphony, Elgar's Serenade in E minor, Grieg's Holberg Suite, and Dag Wiren's Serenade for Strings. He also included some modern works, notably Malcolm Arnold's Symphony No 2. which met with mixed opinions! Many felt that Perth was not ready for such music but others were enthusiastic.
Iain Campbell now lives in Orkney and looks back on his days with PSO with much pleasure, the company of so many enthusiastic players richly rewarding the taxing twice-a-week commute from Glasgow. Once this went amusingly wrong. He remembers:
"I would stagger across to the station, fall into the 'milk train' and arrive in Glasgow about midnight. On one occasion I followed this same routine, but was surprised to find the train running early but taking some time to arrive in Glasgow. Eventually I did arrive - in Carlisle! The Inverness/King's Cross train was running late and had occupied the identical platform where my milk train should have been. Needless to say I arrive home very late that night and was worth very little at school the next day!"
When Iain Campbell moved south to a new post John McLeod became PSO's conductor for the next eight seasons. The McLeod years proved to be most exciting and innovative ones for both Perth Symphony Orchestra and Choral Society. A skilled teacher, clarinettist and composer, John McLeod bought contemporary and unusual music to Perth as well as performing many pieces from the established concert repertoire. In his eight seasons with PSO he conducted over thirty concerts in the Perth City Hall and was responsible for many interesting premieres as well as introducing his own and other contemporary composers' works. In his own words:
"Of course I have vivid memories of my time with the PSO and I was surprised and delighted that the committee allowed me to programme so many unusual and ambitious works that I wanted to do ranging from the British Premiere of Shostakovich's Overture on Russian and Kirghiz themes, the Scottish premieres of Mahler's Waldmarchen, Prokofiew's 'Alexander Nevsky', and Shostakovich's 'Katerina Ismailova' Interludes and 'The execution of Stephan Razin' (with Perth Choral Society). These were in addition to a full repertoire of classical and romantic works which included Beethoven's 9th Symphony - no mean achievement for and amateur orchestra."
As well as composing works for Perth Symphony Orchestra and bringing so many premieres to Perth, John McLeod was instrumental in starting Perth's Festival of the Arts. Indeed the first Perth Festival of the Arts opened with a Gala Concert given by Perth Choral and Orchestral Societies conducted by John McLeod. Happily for Perth both the concert and the festival were a success.
John McLeod moved on from PSO and was succeeded by Noel de Jongh who had a long association with music in Perthshire. Between 1954 and 1962 he was assistant music master at Trinity College Glenalmond and played timpani, and later trombone and tuba for Perth Symphony Orchestra under Bela de Csillery. He was also accompanist to Perth Choral Society. From 1962-1966 whilst he was Director of music at Bloxham School, Banbury, he conducted the Banbury Symphony Orchestra and Operatic society and studied conducting with George Hurst, Norman del Mar and Sir Adrian Boult. He later returned to Perth to become director of music at Glenalmond and was appointed conductor of both Perth Symphony Orchestra and Perth Choral Society in 1973.
In a recent letter to Perth Symphony Orchestra Noel de Jongh paid tribute to the many people he worked with during his time as conductor:
"I had the great good fortune to be conductor from 1973 - 1980, and while memory of much of the detail has faded after 23 years , my abiding memory of the orchestra is of the loyalty, dedication, hard work, patience, good humour and friendliness of the players throughout.
During Noel's time as conductor, Perth Symphony Orchestra worked with many eminent soloists and he has some amusing anecdotes to relate. Of the famous oboist Leon Goosens Noel recalls:
"We were delighted to welcome the famous international oboist Leon Goossens to play the Mozart Oboe Concerto. At the rehearsal. he asked us to "warm up" with the overture first, and waited in the artist's room, no doubt with one ear cocked. So all duly warmed up, I went down to collect him. Instead of leaping to his feet, oboe at the ready, he simply handed me his own personal tuning fork, with the instruction "Take that to your first oboe, will you?" So the orchestra re-tuned and rehearsal and concert went smoothly. Leon wrote on a signed programme for me "With many thanks for the excellent co-op."
He also had the awesome responsibility for accompanying Bela Csillery's second wife, the well known violinist Gillian Sansom!
"Amongst other soloists Iona Brown played the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto and Bela Csillery's wife Gillian Sansom, played the Bruch Violin Concerto. I confess I breathed a sigh of relief when I heard that Bela would be unable to attend, knowing that if we were not up to playing well for Gillian, there would be words. However, in the event, Bela did turn up, large as life, and pronounced that "After all, the orchestra is even better now." Phew!"
When Noel de Jongh took ill shortly before the November 1979 concert, Euan Fairbarin stood in for him with great success and on Noel's retirement was asked to become PSO's conductor. As a schoolboy in the fifties Euan was a regular attender at PSO concerts and was instrumental in persuading Bela de Csillery to give a talk "On Conducting" at his school, Morrison's Academy in Crieff. He later joined the orchestra as a percussionist in 1967 when he came to Perth Academy to teach mathematics. In the mid seventies he left teaching to study music at Napier college and gained diplomas in percussion and conducting and an award as top music student.
Looking back over his years as conductor Euan Fairbairn felt his main achievement was introducing the orchestra to the works of composers whose music they had not played before. The list is quite long: Auber, Sir Arthur Bliss, Cherubini, Delibes, Percy Granger, Herold, John Ireland, Lehar, George Lloyd, Luigini, Massenet, Meyerbeer, Moussorgsky, Rodrigo. The most rewarding of these was probably Perth Symphony Orchestra's performance in March 1983 of the sixth symphony of the Cornish composer George Lloyd which was written in 1956. This was the fourth ever performance of the work and the first Scottish performance of any of his symphonies. It was well received by both the local and national press.
Perth Symphony Orchestra's seventh conductor was Chris Griffiths, a French horn player who studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London with Barry Tuckwell. He was principal horn with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra before returning to free-lancing and moving to Perth. With his considerable experience of working with youth orchestras he encouraged young local players to join the orchestra and number of regular orchestra members increased under his baton. In the November 1988 concert he combined his role as conductor with that of horn soloist along with Heather Nicoll (clarinet), Laura Young (oboe) and Chris Robson (bassoon) in a memorably good performance of Mozart's charming Sinfonia Concertante in E. Not surprisingly under Chris Griffith's baton Perth Symphony Orchestra often played works with prominent brass parts. The most unusual of these was the Concertino No.4 Opus 4 in Eb for trombone and orchestra by Ferdinand David (1810 - 1873). The orchestra performed this rare work in February 1989 with the soloist Alan Pash, the principal trombone player of the Scottish Opera Orchestra. Respected for his teaching of technical expertise and originality of programming Chris conducted a final successful concert in November 1990 before moving to Newcastle to work with the Northern Sinfonia.
In 1991 Chris Griffiths was succeeded by another Chris, Chris Tambling organist, composer, choirmaster and Director of Music at Trinity College, Glenalmond. An energetic and enthusiastic musician, Chris Tambling also combined his role as conductor with that of performer on a number of occasions and enjoyed collaborating with other groups such as Perthshire Brass, Perth Choral Society and Glenalmond choirs. His own words convey excellently some of the fun and backgroud work of putting on concerts:
"I miss PSO desperately - I really did enjoy being involved with the concert planning, the rehearsals, and all of those wonderful concerts in the City Hall. It was such a treat working with such enthusiastic players and with such a supportive committee - all of the stands put out, the posters, the refreshments…So many things stand out as memorable. I have very fond memories of my first appearance on the City Hall stage - the Strauss Oboe Concerto with Laura Young's ravishing playing and Frances McCafferty's fabulous 'Sea Pictures'. It was good too to work with other talented soloists - I especially enjoyed joining with Allan Young and Nick Smith in Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No.5: that was the concert that nearly didn't happen, because the minibus I was using to transport the harpsichord skidded in snow on the road from Glenalmond!"
When Chris Tambling moved south to a new post (the 'fate' of so many PSO conductors!) PSO's president Henry Neil stood in to conduct a most successful combined concert with Perth Amateur Operatic Society and Perth Cathedral Operatic group before the orchestra's leader Allan Young took up the baton in 1998.
As the co-ordinator of Instrumental Instruction in Perth and Kinross, PSO's current conductor Allan Young is keen to promote musical education and collaborations between the region's various instrumental groups, especially those involving youngsters. Thus the orchestra's concerts over the past few years have featured successful joint ventures with the Band of the 51st Highland Brigade, Perthshire Brass, Perth and Kinross Big Band, members of Perth Youth Orchestra and some very talented young soloists who began their musical education through the region's instrumental Instruction Service.
Happily these collaborations have brought in new blood to Perth Symphony Orchestra. For example, for the first time in its history, PSO has a regular brass section making rehearsals much more enjoyable and meaningful for all. The orchestra's next aim is to increase audience numbers back to the capacity audiences enjoyed in the past when there were fewer demands on people's leisure time. Perth Symphony Orchestra looks forward to the next fifty years with excitement!
PSO PERFORMANCES OF NEW OR UNUSUAL WORKS
May 1957: Three Highland Sketches for strings by Marie Dare.
Marie Dare was a native of Fife who studied cello at the Guildhall School of Music under Sir Landon Ronald who awarded her the Gold Medal for instrumentalists. She gave many recitals and was one of the early broadcasters. On the staff of the RSAMD she played in Perth Symphony Orchestra as leader of the cellos from 1955 and later as a double bass player. As a composer she made her name chiefly with her chamber music. Her music is sensitively written, lyrical and strongly impregnated with local colour. The Three Highland Sketches are probably her most popular work and had been played by the SNO and broadcast by the BBBSSO.
March 1966: Variations on a Scottish Theme by William Wordsworth
First public performance of this work by the composer William Wordsworth (great-great-grandson of the poet's brother Christopher) who was taught by Sir Donald Tovey. In 1961 he moved to Inverness-shire and these variations were composed in 1962. There are 9 variations based on the theme "Wi a hundred pipers". The composer was in Perth for the occasion and applauded by the audience.
November 1966: Highland Elegy by John McLeod
First performance of this work written specially for PSO in the summer of 1966. It is an elegy for those who fell at the massacre of Glencoe in 1692. A critic at the time wrote "an evocative ten minute work which should receive further performances."
February 1969: Three Moons for Soprano and Chamber Orchestra By John McLeod
First performance of this work composed in autumn 1968. It is a setting of three poems by James Turner whom the composer met in 1966 whist taking part in the St Endellion Festival in Cornwall. The soloist was Catherine Christie
November 1972: Four Entr'acts from the opera "Katerina Ismailova" by Shostakovich. First concert performance in Great Britain
November 1972: Waldmarchen from "Das Klagende Leid" by Mahler
First Scottish performance
February 1973: First Performance of Harpsichord Concerto by John McLeod
This work was completed in January 1973 and written for the composer's wife, Margaret Murray. It is a short concentrated work in 17 parts and makes use of alaetoric technique. The press at the time reported that it was "an attractive and episodic piece full of quaint and delightful sounds."
February 1983: Symphony No.6 by George Lloyd
First performance in Scotland conducted by Euan Fairbairn who wrote in the programme at the time "It is a relatively short, tuneful and enjoyable work in C major, and I hope it will demonstrate that modern music does not have to be baffling, excruciating and tuneless." A critic at the time wrote "It proved to be a work of instant appeal, well scored and in this carefully prepared performance, well realised." (Sadly the audience was very sparse)
February 1989: Trombone Concerto No 4 by Ferdinand David (1810-1873)
This unusual work is one of only two of this composer's work currently in print.
February 1992: Fanfare by Nigel Don
This was commissioned by Perth Symphony Orchestra as a short celebratory piece to open a Gala European Concert given in Euro music week 1992. It is scored for all the instruments available: full orchestra, brass band and organ. The composer Nigel Don was born in London of Scots descent. At Cambridge whilst gaining a degree in chemical engineering he learned trombone and founded the University's big band. Since 1989 he has devoted himself to composing instrumental music.
February 1994: Trumpet Concerto Op 12 by Nigel Don
Written for PSO by Nigel Don who was delighted to find that it was to be played by John Wallace! The Dundee Courier reviewer wrote " this trumpet concerto deserves to be heard again."
November 1996: Seven Burns Songs, music by Nigel Don
These songs represent Don's first response to Burn's poetry. One of them the highland widow's lament was written specially for this concert.
November 2003: Stone of Destiny by John McLeod
Stone of Destiny was commissioned by PSO to celebrate their 50th Anniversary. John McLeod writes of his new work:
Stone of Destiny
A Symphonic Suite for Orchestra
1. Jacob's Pillow - the legend begins
2. Odyssey - a journey through time
3. Moot Hill - ghosts of ancient kings
4. Crown Triumphant - a Coronation March
"No Stone ever had so wonderful a history" - William Burges in Gleanings from Westminster Abbey (1863)
The so-called Stone of Destiny (also known as the Stone of Scone and the Coronation Stone) has now found its home in Edinburgh Castle. Few famous artefacts have aroused such interest and controversy over such a long and colourful history - much of it shrouded in myth and legend. My inspiration for this symphonic suite came when I began to read some of the stories attached to this incredible object.
The most famous account of its origins comes from the Old Testament, and so the first movement, Jacob's Pillow - the legend begins, is, in musical terms a depiction of Jacob of Bethel where he laid his head on a stone and dreamt of angels ascending to heaven.
In the second section, Odyssey, a journey through time, I have tried to conjure up a journey through the ages and across many countries - Egypt, Spain, Africa and finally to Iona and thence to mainland Scotland where the stone came to rest at the ancient Royal centre of Scone. Here at Moot Hill it became the sacred stone on which the Scottish Kings were crowned until 1296 when it was seized by Edward 1 of England and taken to Westminster Abbey.
Moot Hill - ghosts of ancient kings - is the third movement which makes way for a rousing finale, Crown Triumphant - a Coronation march echoing much of the ceremony and music which has surrounded this stone throughout history.
May 1957: Three Highland Sketches for strings by Marie Dare.
Marie Dare was a native of Fife who studied cello at the Guildhall School of Music under Sir Landon Ronald who awarded her the Gold Medal for instrumentalists. She gave many recitals and was one of the early broadcasters. On the staff of the RSAMD she played in Perth Symphony Orchestra as leader of the cellos from 1955 and later as a double bass player. As a composer she made her name chiefly with her chamber music. Her music is sensitively written, lyrical and strongly impregnated with local colour. The Three Highland Sketches are probably her most popular work and had been played by the SNO and broadcast by the BBBSSO.
March 1966: Variations on a Scottish Theme by William Wordsworth
First public performance of this work by the composer William Wordsworth (great-great-grandson of the poet's brother Christopher) who was taught by Sir Donald Tovey. In 1961 he moved to Inverness-shire and these variations were composed in 1962. There are 9 variations based on the theme "Wi a hundred pipers". The composer was in Perth for the occasion and applauded by the audience.
November 1966: Highland Elegy by John McLeod
First performance of this work written specially for PSO in the summer of 1966. It is an elegy for those who fell at the massacre of Glencoe in 1692. A critic at the time wrote "an evocative ten minute work which should receive further performances."
February 1969: Three Moons for Soprano and Chamber Orchestra By John McLeod
First performance of this work composed in autumn 1968. It is a setting of three poems by James Turner whom the composer met in 1966 whist taking part in the St Endellion Festival in Cornwall. The soloist was Catherine Christie
November 1972: Four Entr'acts from the opera "Katerina Ismailova" by Shostakovich. First concert performance in Great Britain
November 1972: Waldmarchen from "Das Klagende Leid" by Mahler
First Scottish performance
February 1973: First Performance of Harpsichord Concerto by John McLeod
This work was completed in January 1973 and written for the composer's wife, Margaret Murray. It is a short concentrated work in 17 parts and makes use of alaetoric technique. The press at the time reported that it was "an attractive and episodic piece full of quaint and delightful sounds."
February 1983: Symphony No.6 by George Lloyd
First performance in Scotland conducted by Euan Fairbairn who wrote in the programme at the time "It is a relatively short, tuneful and enjoyable work in C major, and I hope it will demonstrate that modern music does not have to be baffling, excruciating and tuneless." A critic at the time wrote "It proved to be a work of instant appeal, well scored and in this carefully prepared performance, well realised." (Sadly the audience was very sparse)
February 1989: Trombone Concerto No 4 by Ferdinand David (1810-1873)
This unusual work is one of only two of this composer's work currently in print.
February 1992: Fanfare by Nigel Don
This was commissioned by Perth Symphony Orchestra as a short celebratory piece to open a Gala European Concert given in Euro music week 1992. It is scored for all the instruments available: full orchestra, brass band and organ. The composer Nigel Don was born in London of Scots descent. At Cambridge whilst gaining a degree in chemical engineering he learned trombone and founded the University's big band. Since 1989 he has devoted himself to composing instrumental music.
February 1994: Trumpet Concerto Op 12 by Nigel Don
Written for PSO by Nigel Don who was delighted to find that it was to be played by John Wallace! The Dundee Courier reviewer wrote " this trumpet concerto deserves to be heard again."
November 1996: Seven Burns Songs, music by Nigel Don
These songs represent Don's first response to Burn's poetry. One of them the highland widow's lament was written specially for this concert.
November 2003: Stone of Destiny by John McLeod
Stone of Destiny was commissioned by PSO to celebrate their 50th Anniversary. John McLeod writes of his new work:
Stone of Destiny
A Symphonic Suite for Orchestra
1. Jacob's Pillow - the legend begins
2. Odyssey - a journey through time
3. Moot Hill - ghosts of ancient kings
4. Crown Triumphant - a Coronation March
"No Stone ever had so wonderful a history" - William Burges in Gleanings from Westminster Abbey (1863)
The so-called Stone of Destiny (also known as the Stone of Scone and the Coronation Stone) has now found its home in Edinburgh Castle. Few famous artefacts have aroused such interest and controversy over such a long and colourful history - much of it shrouded in myth and legend. My inspiration for this symphonic suite came when I began to read some of the stories attached to this incredible object.
The most famous account of its origins comes from the Old Testament, and so the first movement, Jacob's Pillow - the legend begins, is, in musical terms a depiction of Jacob of Bethel where he laid his head on a stone and dreamt of angels ascending to heaven.
In the second section, Odyssey, a journey through time, I have tried to conjure up a journey through the ages and across many countries - Egypt, Spain, Africa and finally to Iona and thence to mainland Scotland where the stone came to rest at the ancient Royal centre of Scone. Here at Moot Hill it became the sacred stone on which the Scottish Kings were crowned until 1296 when it was seized by Edward 1 of England and taken to Westminster Abbey.
Moot Hill - ghosts of ancient kings - is the third movement which makes way for a rousing finale, Crown Triumphant - a Coronation march echoing much of the ceremony and music which has surrounded this stone throughout history.
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November 2005: John McLeod Clarinet Concerto:
Clarinettist Linda Merrick gave a totally captivating world premiere of John McLeod's Clarinet Concerto on Sunday 27th November 2005 in the new Perth Concert Hall |
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March 2014: Perthshire Suite:
This was commissioned, using the Duncan bequest, for PSO's 60th Anniversary concert from composition students at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, with the following performances: The Mary Grey - Rebekah Smith; Distance - Oliver Newman; The Wishing Chair - Jessica Jones; Laoch - Blair Russell; Huntingtower - Kristaps Cukurs
This was commissioned, using the Duncan bequest, for PSO's 60th Anniversary concert from composition students at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, with the following performances: The Mary Grey - Rebekah Smith; Distance - Oliver Newman; The Wishing Chair - Jessica Jones; Laoch - Blair Russell; Huntingtower - Kristaps Cukurs
Concerts: the first fifty years:-
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2001-2002
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2000-2001
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November 2000
with Perthshire Brass (conductor George Annan) Light Cavalry Overture - Suppé Piano Concerto No. 2 (2nd movement) Shostakovich (soloist Gordon Murch) The Sorcerer's Apprentice - Dukas Symphonic Dances from West Side Story - Bernstein A Tribute to Henry Mancini - arr. Custer Themes from 007 - arr.Custer |
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1999-2000
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Nov 1999: Music from Stage and Screen
with the Band of the 51st Highland Brigade (conductor WOI JGC Abernethy (BM)) Richard III (A Shakespeare Suite) - Walton Theme from Spartacus Suite No. 2 - Khachaturian Prelude and Fuge 'The Spitfire' - Walton Band of the 51st Highland Brigade 633 Squadron - Goodwin Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves - Camen Thunderbirds March - Gray Moments of Morricone - Morricone Superman (A symphonic suite) - John Williams Les Miserables Suite - C Schonberg Miss Saigon Suite - C Schonberg March 'The Dam Busters' - E Coates |
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1998-1999
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1997-1998
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February 1998
Dvorak - Carnival Overture Mozart - Flute Concerto No.1 in G Major (soloist Nicholas Smith) Bizet - L'arlesienne Suite No. 2 Mendelssohn - Symphony No. 4 'Italian' Allan Young steps up to the podium as PSO's new conductor, while Lorna McGovern takes the leader's position. |
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1996-1997
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1995-1996
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1994-1995
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14th November 1994 - Children's Concert
Rossini - William Tell Overture Grieg - Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 Tchaikovsky - Selection from Nutcracker Suite Prokofiev - Peter and the Wolf (Narrator Alan Vicary) Conductor: Chris Tambling Leader: Allan Young |
26th February 1995
Brahms - Academic Festival Overture J S Bach - Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 R Strauss - Serenade for Wind Instruments Op. 7 Dvorak - Symphony No. 8 in G Conductor: Chris Tambling Leader: Allan Young |
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1993-1994
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14th November 1993 - Russian Night with Perthshire Brass
Shostakovich - Festival Overture Tchaikovsky - Symphony No. 5 Perthshire Brass: Rimsky Korsakov 'Cortege from Mlada'; Prokofiev 'Montagues and Capulets'; Woodfield 'Kalinka'; Mussorgsky 'Night on the Bare Mountain' Tchaikovsky - 1812 Overture Conductor: Chris Tambling Leader: Allan Young |
27th February 1994
Vivaldi - Concerto for Two Trumpets (soloists John Wallace and Douglas Waterston) Walton - Facade Nigel Don - Trumpet Concerto (World premiere, soloist John Wallace) Beethoven - Symphony No. 6 Conductor: Chris Tambling Leader: Allan Young |
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1992-1993
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15th November 1992
Mozart - Overture 'The Magic Flute' Mozart - Concerto for Flute and Orchestra Brahms - Variations on a Theme by Haydn Johann Strauss - Tales from the Vienna woods; Thunder and Lightening polka; Blue Danube Waltz; March Radetzky Conductor: Chris Tambling Leader: Allan Young Soloist: Elizabeth Lee, flute |
28th February 1993
Wagner - Overture 'Rienzi' Bruch - Concerto for Violin and Orchestra J S Bach - Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 Saint-saens - Symphony No 3 (organ) (soloist Alan Childs) Conductor: Chris Tambling Leader: Allan Young Soloist: Elizabeth-Anne Neil, Violin |
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1991-1992
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10th November 1991
Warlock - Capriol Suite Vaughan Williams - Symphony No. 5 Delius - On hearing The First Cuckoo in Spring Delius - Summer Night on the River Elgar - Variations on an Original Theme (Enigma Variations) Conductor: Chris Tambling Leader: Allan Young |
23th February 1992 - Gala European Concert
Nigel Don - Fanfare Jacob de Haan - Free World Fantasy (Perthshire Brass - conductor George Annan) Milhaud - Le Boeuf sur le Toit Beethoven - Symphony No. 9 (Choral) with Perth Choral Society Chorus Master Richard Halliday; soloists Audrey Tennant; Heather Stewart; Robert Crowe, Donald Maxwell Conductor: Chris Tambling Leader: Allan Young |
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1990-1991
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11th November 1990
Grieg - Sigurd Jorsalfar Suite Greig - Holberg Suite Sibelius - Finlandia Sibelius - Symphony No. 2 Conductor: Chris Griffiths Leader: Allan Young |
24th February 1991
Brahms - Symphony No.1 Strauss - Oboe Concerto (soloist Laura Young) Elgar - Sea pictures (soloist Frances Mccafferty) Conductor: Chris Griffiths Leader: Allan Young Soloists: Laura Young, Oboe; Frances McCafferty, soprano |
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1989-1990
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12th November 1989
Rossini - Overture 'The Barber of Seville' Elgar - Serenade for Strings Gounod - Petite Symphony for wind instruments Dvorak - Symphony No. 9 'From the New World' Conductor: Chris Griffiths Leader: Allan Young |
25th February 1990
Mendelssohn - Overture Fingal's Cave Schubert - Symphony No. 8 'The Unfinished' Walton - Crown Imperial Coates - London Every Day Holst - St Paul's Suite Goodwin - March 633 Squadron Coates - March 'The Dam Busters' Conductor: Chris Griffiths Leader: Allan Young |
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1988-1989
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13th November 1988
Weber - Overture Der Freischutz Mozart - Sinfonia Concertante for Wind Quartet (Laura Young, Oboe; Heather Nicoll, Clarinet; Chris Robson, Bassoon; Chris Griffiths, Horn) Poulenc - Organ Concerto (soloist David Brookshaw) Brahms - Symphony No. 4 Conductor: Chris Griffiths Guest Leader: Chris Higgins |
26th February 1989
Beethoven - Overture Coriolan Ferdinand David - Trombone Concerto Shostakovich - Symphony No. 5 Conductor: Chris Griffiths Guest Leader: Chris Higgins Soloist: Alan Pash, Trombone |
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1987-1988
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15th November 1987
Sibelius - Karelia Suite Beethoven - Symphony No. 4 Dvorak - Cello Concerto Conductor: Chris Griffiths Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Willie Conway, Cello |
28th February 1988
Wagner - Prelude to Die Meistersinger Beethoven - Piano Concerto No. 2 (soloist Kathleen Renilson) Tessarini - Trumpet Concerto in D (soloist Ian Muirhead) Stravinsky - Firebird Suite Conductor: Chris Griffiths Guest Leader Anne McGhee |
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1986-1987
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9th November 1986
Elgar - Froissart Overture Rachmaninov - Piano Concerto No. 2 Dvorak - Symphony No. 6 in D major Conductor: Euan Fairbairn Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Bryn Turley, Piano |
1st March 1987
Mozart - Ballet music from Idomeneo Beethoven - Violin Concerto in D Op. 61 Mozart - Cosi Fan Tutte Overture Haydn - Symphony No. 103 Conductor: Euan Fairbairn Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Claire Docherty, Violin |
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1985-1986
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10th November 1985
Mozart - Overture 'The Impressario' Mendelssohn - Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor (soloist Scott Mitchell) Mozart - March from La Clemenza Di Tito Mozart - Horn Concerto No. 4 in Eb (soloist Graeme Hodge) Haydn - Symphony No. 100 in G 'Military' Conductor: Euan Fairbairn Leader: Esther Taylor |
23rd February 1986
MacCunn - Overture, Land of the Mountain and the Flood Beethoven - Piano Concerto No. 3 Brahms - Symphony No. 3 Conductor: Euan Fairbairn Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: George Donald, Piano |
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1984-1985
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11th November 1984
Mozart - Overture 'La Clemenza Di Tito' Mozart - Six German Dances K.600 Mozart - Clarinet Concerto Weber - Invitation to the Dance Rossini - Ballett Music William Tell Delibes - Ballet Suite Sylvia Conductor: Euan Fairbairn Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Charles Maynes, Clarinet |
24th February 1985
Auber - Overture, La Muette de Portici Dvorak - Cello Concerto in B minor Beethoven - Symphony No. 2 in D major Conductor: Euan Fairbairn Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Jane Goodwin, Cello |
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1983-1984
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13th November 1983
Bliss - Fanfare for Heroes Britten - Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra Haydn - Trumpet Concerto in Eb Grainger - Three Morris Dance Tunes Moussorgsky - Gopak from Sorochinsky Fair Prokofiev - Peter and the Wolf (narrator Neville Garden) Conductor: Euan Fairbairn Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Graeme Williamson, Trumpet |
26th February 1984
Sullivan - Overture 'The yeomen of the guard' Greig - Piano Concerto in A Minor (soloist Audrey Innes) Elgar - Nursery Suite Dvorak - Symphony No. 8 Conductor: Euan Fairbairn Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Audrey Innes, Piano |
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1982-1983
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14th November 1982
Rossini - Overture 'Semiramide' Mozart - Flute and Harp Concerto (Anne Evans, flute; Winifred Freeman, harp) Smetana - Vlatava Ireland - Symhonic Prelude 'Tritons' Beethoven - Symphony No. 8 Conductor: Euan Fairbairn Leader: Esther Taylor |
27th February 1983
Herold - Overture Zampa Tchaikovsky - Violin Concerto Boyce - Symphony No. 4 Sibelius - The Swan of Tuonela George Lloyd - Symphony No. 6 Conductor: Euan Fairbairn Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Miles Baster, Violin |
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1981-1982
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8th November 1981
Beethoven - Overture Leonore No. 3 Beethoven - Piano Concerto No. 5 in Eb 'The Emperor' (soloist Bryn Turley) Berlioz - Hungarian March Kjatchaturian - Suite from Spartacus Suppe - Overture Light Cavalry Conductor: Euan Fairbairn Leader: Esther Taylor |
28th February 1982
Mozart - Overture 'The Magic Flute' Rodrigo - Concerto de Aranjuez for guitar and orchestra Handel - Suite from The Water Music Tchaikovsky - Suite from the ballet Swan Lake Elgar - Pomp and Circumstance March No. 4 in G Conductor: Euan Fairbairn Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Phillip Thorne, Guitar |
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1980-1981
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9th November 1980
Schubert - Rosamunde: Overture, Entr'acte No. 2, Ballet Music No. 2 Mozart - Horn Concerto No 2. (soloist Frank Lloyd) Lehar - Waltz: Gold and Silver J Strauss II - Overture 'Die Fledermaus' Cherubini - Sonata No. 2 in F for Horn and strings (soloist Frank Lloyd) R Strauss arr. Perry - Melodies from Der Rosenkavalier J Strauss II Waltz: Roses from the South Josef Strauss - Feuerfest Polka Op. 269 Conductor: Euan Fairbairn Leader: Esther Taylor |
1st March 1981 - Gala Night at the Opera
Bizet - Suite From Carmen Rossini - from the Barber of Seville: Largo al Factorum, Una voce poco fa Verdi - from Rigoletto: La donna e mobile Verdi - from Il Trovatore: Il balen del suo sorriso Rossini - from The Barber of Seville: Terzetto: A qual colpo; Trio: Zizzi, Zizzi, piano, piano Luigini - Ballet Egyptien Meyerbeer - Coronation March from Le Prophete Mozart - from The Marriage of Figaro: Non piu andrai Saint-Saens - from Samson and Delilah: Trio Je viens celebrer la victoire Bizet - from the Fair Maid of Perth: Serenade Mozart - from La Clemenza di Tito: Non piu di fiori Bizet - The Pearl Fishers Duet Massenet - Le Cid Ballet Music Conductor: Euan Fairbairn Leader: Esther Taylor Soloists: Linda Ormiston, Donald Maxwell, Alan Borthwick |
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1979-1980
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11th November 1979
Grieg - Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 Beethoven - Piano Concerto No. 1 Kenneth Leighton - Burlesque Op. 19 Dvorak - Symphony No. 3 in Eb major Conductor: Euan Fairbairn Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Christian Blackshaw, Piano |
24th February 1980
Rossini - Overture 'The Barber of Seville' Saint-Saens - Cello Concerto in A minor Britten - Simple Symphony for String Orchestra Beethoven - Symphony No. 5 in Cminor Conductor: Noel de Jongh Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Jane Goodwin, Cello |
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1978-1979
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12th November 1978
Smetana - Overture 'The Bartered Bride' Saint-Saens - Piano Concerto No. 5 in F Dag Wiren - Serenade for Strings Op. 11 Borodin - Symphony No. 2 in B minor Conductor: Noel de Jongh Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Danielle Laval, Piano |
18th February 1979
J S Bach - Suite #2 in B min for flute & strings Glazounov - Concerto for Saxophone in Eb Schubert - Symphony No. 8 in B minor (unfinished) Elgar - Cello Concerto in E minor Conductor: Noel de Jongh Leader: Esther Taylor Soloists: George Gwilt, flute; Philip Greene, saxophone; Caroline Neil, cello |
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1977-1978
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6th November 1977
Beethoven - Egmont Overture Bruch - Violin Concerto in G minor Walton - Two Pieces for Strings: Passacaglia,'Touch her soft lips and part' Bizet - Symphony in C Conductor: Noel de Jongh Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Gillian Sanson, Violin |
19th February 1978
Mozart - Overture 'La Clemenza di Tito' Tchaikovsky - Piano Concerto No. 1 Barber - Adagio for Strings Dvorak - Symphony No. 9 in E minor (from the New World) Conductor: Noel de Jongh Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Terence Judd, Piano |
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1976-1977
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14th November 1976
Mendelssohn - Hebrides Overture Beethoven - Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Lars-Erik Larsson - Pastoral Suite Op. 19 Haydn - Symphony No. 94 'Suprise' Conductor: Noel de Jongh Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Andrew Haig, piano |
20th February 1977
Marshner - Overture 'Hans Heiling' Mendelssohn - Violin Concerto in E minor Delius - On Hearing the first Cuckoo in Spring Schumann - Symphony No. 4 in D minor Conductor: Noel de Jongh Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Iona Brown, Violin |
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1975-1976
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9th November 1975
Brahms - Academic Festival Overture Rachmaninov - Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor Franck - Symphony in D minor Conductor: Noel de Jongh Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Yonty Solomon, piano |
15th February 1976
MacCunn - Land of the Mountain and the Flood Dvorak - Cello Concerto in B minor Bizet - Jeux d'enfants Schubert - Symphony No. 3 in D major Conductor: Noel de Jongh Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Thomas Igloi, cello |
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1974-1975
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10th November 1974
Schubert - Overture in the Italian Style in C Grieg - Piano Concerto in A minor (soloist Enloc Wu) Holst - A Somerset Rhapsody Dvorak - Symphony No. 8 in G major Conductor: Noel de Jongh Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Enloc Wu, piano |
16th February 1975
J S Bach - Suite No. 3 in D Mozart - Oboe Concerto in C major Stravinsky - Suites Nos. I and 2 for small orchestra Beethoven - Symphony No. 2 Conductor: Noel de Jongh Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Leon Goossens, oboe |
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1973-1974
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11th November 1973
Mendelssohn - Overture Ruy Blas Rachmaninoff - Piano Concerto No. 2 Sibelius - Karelia Suite Beethoven - Symphony No. 6 'The Pastoral' Conductor: Noel de Jongh Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Andrew Haig, piano |
17th February 1974
Rossini - Overture 'Tancredi' Mozart - Violin Concerto No. 4 in D major Warlock - Capriol Suite for string orchestra Haydn - Symphony No. 101 'The Clock' Conductor: Noel de Jongh Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Ralph Holmes, Violin |
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1972-1973
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5th November 1972
Shostakovich - Four Entracts from the opera 'Katerina Ismailova' Mozart - Concerto No. 22 for Piano and orchestra (soloist Julian Dawson) Mahler - Waldmarchen from 'Das Klagende Lied' (soloists Moira Drozdz, Joan Busby, Rory Hammond, William Macadam) Tchaikovsky - Overture 1812 Conductor: John McLeod Leader: Esther Taylor |
18th February 1973
Weber - Overture 'Der Freischutz' Beethoven - Violin Concerto in D major John McLeod - Harpsichord Concerto, First Performance Elgar - Variations on an original theme Conductor: John McLeod Leader: Esther Taylor Soloists: Leonard Friedman, violin; Margaret Murray, harpsichord |
18th March 1973 - with Perth Choral Society and a section of the Choir of Trinity College Glenalmond
Holst - The Hymn of Jesus Mahler - Kindertotenlieder Prokofiev - Alexander Nevsky (soloist Sandra Browne, Mezzo Sopr) Conductor: John McLeod Leader: Esther Taylor |
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1971-1972
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7th November 1971
Rossini - Overture The Italian Girl in Algiers Mendelssohn - Violin Concerto in E minor (soloist Sam Bor) Mozart - Symphony No. 39 in Eb De Falla - El Amor Brujo Conductor: John McLeod Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Sam Bor, Violin |
16th April 1972
Gala Opening Concert of Perth Festival of the Arts with Perth Choral Soc. |
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1970-1971
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8th November 1970 - Beethoven Bi-centenary Concert
Beethoven - Piano Concerto No. 5 in Eb 'Emperor' (soloist Colin Kinglsey) Beethoven - Symphony No. 9 in D minor 'Choral' (soloists Floretta Volovini, Claire Livingstone, John Robertson and Rodney McCann) Conductor: John McLeod Leader: Esther Taylor |
21st February 1971
Kenneth Leighton - Festive Overture (conducted by the composer) David Dorward - Variations on an Old Scots Air (conducted by the composer) Chopin - Piano Concerto No. 2 (soloist George Donald) Vaughan Williams - The Lark Ascending (solo violin Edna Arthur) Mendelssohn - Symphony No. 4 'Italian' Conductor: John McLeod Leader: Esther Taylor |
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1969-1970
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9th November 1969
Handel - Concerto Grosso in G Op. 3 No. 3 Mozart - Eine Kleine Nachtmusik J S Bach - Concerto in C for two pianos Arnold - Clarinet Concerto Albinoni-Giazotto - Adagio for Organ and Strings Saint-Saens - Carnival of the Animals Conductor: John McLeod Leader: Esther Taylor Soloists: Esther Taylor, violin; George Gwilt, flute; Margaret Murray, piano; Kenneth Murray, piano; Ronald Mackie, clarinet; Noel de Jongh, organ |
8th March 1970
Rossini - Overture The Siege of Corinth Faure - Pavane Op. 50 for chorus and orchestra (sung in French by a section of Perth Choral Society) Elgar - Cello Concerto (soloist Joan Dickson) Mozart - Oboe Concerto in C major (soloist Valerie Taylor) Shostakovich - Symphony No. 9 in Eb major Conductor: John McLeod Leader: Esther Taylor |
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1968-1969
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29th October 1968 - Gala Concert Hall
Jacob - The National Anthem for Chorus and Orchestra Walton - Coronation March 'Crown Imperial' Handel - Coronation Anthem Zadok the Priest Bizet - Serenade from the Fair Maid of Perth (James Morris, Tenor) Puccini - 'E lucevan le stelle' from Tosca (James Morris, Tenor) Verdi - 'Questa o quella' from Rigoletto (James Morris, Tenor) Sibelius - Finlandia Franck - Symphonic Variations for Piano and orchestra (soloist Robert Bell) Thomas - Overture Mignon Vaughan Williams - Fantasia on Greensleeves Wagner - March and Chorus 'Hail Bright Abode' from Tannhauser Saint-Saens - Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso (soloist Daphne Godson, Violin) Borodin - Polovtsian Dances Conductor: John McLeod Leader: Esther Taylor |
23rd February 1969
Mozart - Symphony No. 32 in G Brahms - Piano Concerto No. 1 (soloist Audrey Innes) Handel - Organ Concerto in Bb Op. 4 No. 2 (soloist Noel de Jongh) John McLeod - Three Moons for Soprano and chamber orchestra (soloist Catherine Christie) First Performance Beethoven - Symphony No. 8 Conductor: John McLeod Leader: Esther Taylor |
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1967-1968
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29th October 1967
Beethoven - Overture 'Egmont' Alwyn - Scottish Dances J S Bach - Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 (David Nicholson, flute; Louis Carus, violin and Margaret Murray, piano) Bruch - Violin Concerto No. 1 (soloist Louis Carus) Mozart - Symphony No. 35 'Haffner' Conductor: John McLeod Leader: Esther Taylor |
25th February 1968
Rossini - Overture 'The Barber of Seville' Delius - Intermezzo and Serenade from Hassan Mozart - Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor (soloist Enloc Wu) Debussy - Danses for Harp and Strings (Sanchia Pielou, harp) Conductor: John McLeod Leader: Esther Taylor |
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1966-1967
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6th November 1966
Mozart - Overture 'Don Giovanni' John McLeod - Highland Elegy (first performance) Schumann - Piano concerto in A minor Beethoven - Symphony No. 7 Conductor: John McLeod Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Allan Schiller, Piano |
5th March 1967
Glinka - Overture 'A life for the Tsar' Borodin - In the Steppes of Central Asia Tchaikovsky - Piano Concerto No.1 Dvorak - Symphony No. 9 in E minor 'From the New World' Conductor: John McLeod Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Katrina George, Piano |
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1965-1966
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7th November 1965
Rossini - Overture 'The Italian Girl in Algiers' Barber - Adagio for Strings Saint-Saens - Cello Concerto in A minor (soloist Joan Dickson) Handel - Organ Concerto in B flat (soloist Duncan Sinclair) Conductor: John McLeod Leader: Esther Taylor |
20th March 1966
Mozart - Overture 'Il Seraglio' Sibelius - Valse Triste Beethoven - Piano Concerto No. 4 (soloist Geoffrey Burford) William Wordsworth - Variations on a Scottish Theme (first public performance) Haydn - Symphony No. 88 in G major Conductor: John McLeod Leader: Esther Taylor |
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1964-1965
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15th November 1964
Glinka - Overture 'Ruslan and Ludmilla' Grieg - Holberg Suite Brahmns - Violin Concerto in D major Arnold - Symphony No. 2 Conductor: Iain Campbell Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Frances Mason, violin |
21st March 1965
Beethoven - Overture 'Egmont' Mozart - Piano Concerto in C minor K. 491 Dag Wiren - Serenade for Strings Prokofiev - Symphony No. 1 in D 'Classical' Conductor: Iain Campbell Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Raymond O'Connel, piano |
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1963-1964
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10th November 1963
Reznicek - Overture 'Donna Diana' Beethoven - Violin Concerto in D major Britten - Simple Symphony Bizet - Symphony in C major Conductor: Iain Campbell Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Frederick Grinke, violin |
22nd March 1964
Schubert - Symphony No. 5 Schumann - Piano Concerto in A minor Elgar - Serenade in E minor Mendelssohn - Symphony No. 4 'Italian' Conductor: Iain Campbell Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Joaquin Achucarro, piano |
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1962-1963
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10th March 1963
Weber - Overture 'Der Freischutz' Faure - Pavane Prokofieff - Peter and the Wolf (narrator Iain Cuthbertson) Schumann - Symphony No. 4 Conductor: Iain Campbell Leader: Esther Taylor |
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1961-1962
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12th November 1961
Boieldieu - Overture The Caliph of Baghdad Walton - Two pieces for strings from Henry V Beethoven - Piano Concerto No. 2 Tchaikowsky - Symphony No 3. 'Polish' Conductor: Dr Bela de Csillery Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Stephanie Bamford, piano |
13th May 1962
J S Bach - Suite No 3 in D Mozart - Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in A K.219 Saint-Saens - Introduction and Rondeau Capriccioso Borodin - Symphony No 2 in B minor Conductor: Dr Bela de Csillery Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Alan Loveday, violin |
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1960-1961
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20th November 1960
Mozart - Overture 'The Impressario' Beethoven - Piano Concerto No.4 Bartok - Roumanian Folk Dances from Hungary Mendelssohn - Symphony No. 4 'Italian' Conductor: Dr Bela de Csillery Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Allan Schiller, piano |
26th March 1961
Rossini - Overture 'The Barber of Seville' Lambert - Aubade Heroique Beethoven - Piano Concerto No.5 Schubert - Symphony No. 9 Conductor: Dr Bela de Csillery Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Balint Vazsonyi, piano |
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1959-1960
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21st November 1959
Rossini - Overture 'The Silken Ladder' Mendelssohn - Violin Concerto in E minor Vaughan Williams - The Lark Ascending Haydn - Symphony No. 103 'The Drumroll' Conductor: Dr Bela de Csillery Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Ralph Holmes, violin |
20th March 1960
Sibelius - Finlandia Tone Poem Op. 26 Barber - Adagio for Strings Rachmaninoff - Piano Concerto No. 2 Dvorak - Symphony No. 8 Conductor: Dr Bela de Csillery Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Joaquin Achucarro, piano |
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1958-1959
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16th November 1958
Mendelssohn - Overture 'Fingal's Cave' Schumann - Piano Concerto in A minor Warlock - Capriol Suite for String Orchestra Haydn - Symphony No. 104 (London) Conductor: Dr Bela de Csillery Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Yoko Kono, piano |
22nd March 1959
Mozart - Overture La Clemenza di Tito Beethoven - Symphony No. 6 Handel - Concerto for Organ and orchestra in D minor (soloist Herrick Bunney) Vaughan Williams - In Windsor Forest (Audrey Gunn, soprano, Irene Stewart, contralto) Conductor: Dr Bela de Csillery Leader: Esther Taylor |
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1957-1958
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9th February 1958
This concert had to be abandoned due to a severe blizzard. Instead Yoko Kono gave a piano recital in the dark to those of the audience who managed to turn up! Mendelssohn - Overture 'Fingal's Cave' Schumann - Piano Concerto in A minor (soloist Yoko Kono) Warlock - Capriol Suite for String Orchestra Haydn - Symphony No. 104 (London) Conductor: Dr Bela de Csillery Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Yoko Kono, piano |
18th May 1958
Vaughan Williams - Overture 'The Wasps' Mendelssohn - Symphony No 3 'The Scotch' Mozart - Piano Concerto in A major K. 488 Beethoven - Overture Leonora No. 3 Conductor: Dr Bela de Csillery Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Leonora Mila, piano |
3rd July 1958 (Pitlochry Festival Theatre)
Rossini - Overture 'The Italian Girl in Algiers' Haydn - Symphony No. 104 (London) Warlock - Capriol Suite for String Orchestra Bartok - Roumanian Folk Dances Prokofiev - Peter and the Wolf (narrator Peter Smallwood) Conductor: Dr Bela de Csillery Leader: Esther Taylor |
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1957
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10th February 1957
J S Bach - Suite in B minor for flute and strings Mozart - Piano Concerto in D minor de Falla - Ballet Suite 'El Amor Brujo' Delius - On hearing the first Cukoo in Spring Rossini - Overture 'Tancredi' Conductor: Dr Bela de Csillery Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Jean Antonietti, piano Soloist: L J Barnett, flute |
12th May 1957
Weber - Overture 'Oberon' Bruch - Violin Concerto in G minor Op.26 Marie Dare - Three Highland Sketches for Strings Beethoven - Symphony No. 5 in C minor Conductor: Dr Bela de Csillery Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Ralph Homles, violin |
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1956
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12th February 1956
Handel - Concerto Grosso in D minor Op 6. No.10 Grieg - Piano Concerto in A minor Schubert - Symphony No 5 Bartok - Roumanian Folk Dances Rossini - Overture 'The Italian Girl in Algiers' Conductor: Dr Bela de Csillery Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Thorunn Tryggvason, piano |
13th May 1956
Mozart - Overture 'The Marriage of Figaro' Tchaikovsky - Violin Concerto in D Honneger - Summer Pastorale Symphonic Poem Beethoven - Symphony No 2 Conductor: Dr Bela de Csillery Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Desmond Bradley, violin |
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1955
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6th February 1955
Mozart - Overture 'The Impressario' Beethoven - Piano Concerto No 1 Schubert - Symphony in B minor (Unfinished) Strauss - Blue Danube Waltz, Pizzicato Polka, Overture Die Fledermaus Conductor: Dr Bela de Csillery Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Shelagh Stamp, piano |
8th May 1955
Schubert - Overture 'Rosamunde' Beethoven - Concerto in D major Op 61 for violin and orchestra Prokofieff - Peter and the Wolf; narrator David Steuart (Perth Repertory Company) Berlioz - Hungarian March (Racoczky) Conductor: Dr Bela de Csillery Leader: Esther Taylor Soloist: Ralph Homles, violin |
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1953-1954
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26th April 1953
Beethoven - Overture Egmont Boyce - Symphony No. 4 Beethoven - Piano Concerto No. 3 Haydn - Symphony No. 100 (The Military) Tchaikovsky - Swans and Czardas Dance from Swan Lake Conductor: A Ernest Monk Leader: Margaret Macdonald Soloist: Alistair Moncrieff, Piano |
9th May 1954
Rossini - Overture 'Tancredi' Elgar - Serenade for Strings Mozart - Piano Concerto in A K.488 Beethoven - Symphony No.1 Sibelius - Romance in C Schubert - Marche Militaire Conductor: A Ernest Monk Leader: Bela Csillery Soloist: Christopher Headington, piano |