Category: Concert Review

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Autumn Concert 2024

The Elstree Mozart Players, established in 2018 by local music enthusiasts Derek Holland, Pat Strack, and Andrew Grady, have rapidly become a cornerstone of the town’s cultural scene.

Their passion for classical music and commitment to community engagement has made the orchestra a beloved institution in the area.

The concert will take place on Sunday, 29th September 2024, at 7:30 PM at Allum Hall & Manor, Elstree, offering an enchanting musical experience for residents and visitors alike.

Join us for an unforgettable evening of music, community, and celebration as we continue to build on Elstree and Borehamwood’s proud tradition of cultural excellence.

This concert marks another milestone in their journey, promising an evening filled with the timeless beauty of classical music, being presented ‘In Partnership’ with The Rotary Club of the Studios of Elstree and Borehamwood.

Under the expert leadership of Lucy Cumming and the baton of Conductor Derek Holland, the evening will display a diverse and engaging program, including both beloved classics and exciting new works. The concert will feature:

Franz von Suppé’s “Morning, Noon and Night in Vienna Overture,” an exuberant and lively piece to open the evening.

Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto, with a soulful performance by Soloist Edwin Gatward.

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s “Marche Slave,” conducted by Guest Conductor Roland Marshall, a dramatic and powerful orchestral work.

Philip White’s “Aubade,” a world premiere commissioned by Derek Holland and the Elstree Mozart Players, displaying the contemporary talent of this esteemed composer.

Jules Massenet’s “Meditation from Thaïs,” featuring a moving solo by Lucy Cumming.

Oscar Böhme’s Trumpet Concerto, with a dynamic performance by Soloist Dylan Lehn.

This carefully curated selection of orchestral masterpieces promises to captivate the audience, highlighting the immense talent and versatility of the Elstree Mozart Players.

Tickets and Further Information:

Tickets for the concert are available from September 1st, 2024, and can be purchased online through the orchestra official ticket source website: www.ticketsource.co.uk/elstree-mozart-players​, or via contacting the orchestra directly. Early booking is recommended to secure a seat for what promises to be a sold-out event.

Contact Information:

For press inquiries, interviews, or further details, please contact:

Elstree Mozart Players Press / Ticket Office

Email: elstreemozartplayers@outlook.com

Phone: +44 (0) 20 8953 7363 / +44 (0) 7790 305428

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Civic Festival 2024 Concert Review

Elstree Mozart Players, founded in 2018 by Derek Holland in collaboration with Pat Strack and Andrew Grady, with an aim to bring the richness of classical music to the communities of Elstree and Borehamwood held its latest concert on Sunday 23rd June 2024 at ‘All Saints’ Church in Borehamwood.

The orchestra’s president Cllr John Graham wselcomed the gathered audience to the concert, which was attended by both Mayors of Elstree and Borehamwood, Cllr Alpha Collins and Hertsmere, Cllr. Richard Butler which formed the opening musical event for this year’s Civic Festival in Elstree and Borehamwood.

Cllr John Graham (left), Cllr Richrd Butler, (centre), and Cllr Alpha Collins with Andrew Grady (right)

This was another concert with something for everyone from Derek Holland and the Elstree Mozart Players.

Proceedings began with a Concert March by the orchestra’s resident composer, Peter Wilson. A charming little piece in the light classical vain, designed to get the toes tapping and hearts pumping.

Then a short Trumpet concerto by Leopold Mozart, the less talented father of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. It was played on an old D trumpet by orchestra member Alison Perry. Quite an instrument to play, as it is very taxing on the players lips, but Alison sailed through, with very good accompaniment from the orchestra.

Next the leader of the orchestra, Lucy Cumming and principal oboist, Barry Solomon played one of Bach’s wonderful concertos, the D minor for Oboe and Violin. It was played brilliantly by both soloists and with excellent orchestral accompaniment, it left the audience asking for more.

To follow, Peter Wilson excelled as pianist in Robert Docker’s Legend for Piano & Orchestra. It is a wonderful piece of light music that should be heard more regularly. Docker was a first-class composer of light classical music and Derek Holland and his players will never shy away from promoting these little gems.

Bringing the concert to the interval was a delightful piece by the composer Cecile Chaminade, her Concertino for Flute and Orchestra. Played flawlessly by the principal Flautist – Emma Brown. Once more the audience were wowed by the brilliant playing of soloist and orchestra.

To begin the second half, Elstree Mozart Players played a work by another local composer, Roderick Elmer – his Variations on the Hymn tune Harwich. He wrote it 10 years ago and it had not been played since. It had a demanding pattern of ever-increasing difficulty with each variation, yet the orchestra held it together for this unfamiliar piece, on just that one rehearsal. Remarkable.

To end the concert, they played Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Symphony No.31 ‘The Paris’. A big symphony and a big performance. No hesitation on the tempo for both the first movement and finale. Derek Holland always observes the composer’s tempi markings. What a rousing finish to the concert. Fantastic!

The orchestra would like to thank members of The Rotary Club of the Studios of Elstree and Borehamwood along with Elstree & Borehamwood Town Council for providing stewards for this concert.

Photos taken by Laurance Wiseman, Clive Butchins, Cllr Alpha Collins, & Andrew Grady

Review prepared by Graham Wilson

The next concert by Elstree Mozart Players is on Sunday 29th September 2024, 7.30pm at Allum Hall & Manor Elstree, featuring

  • Suppe – Morning Noon and Night in Vienna Overture
  • Elgar cello concerto – Soloist: Edwin Gatward
  • Tchaikovsky – Marche Slave (Guest Conductor Roland Marshall)
  • Philip White – Aubade (world premiere) Commissioned by Derek Holland and EMP
  • Massenet -Meditation from Thais – Soloist Lucy Cumming
  • Oscar Bohme – Trumpet Concerto – Soloist Dylan Lehner
  • Saint Saens – Bacchanale from Samson and Delilah.

Tickets £10 in advance (available from 1st September 2024)

£15.00 / £12.00 Concessions

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Elstree Mozart Players Civic Festival Concert

Date: June 23rd, 7:30 PM

The Elstree Mozart Players, founded in 2018 by Derek Holland in collaboration with Pat Strack and Andrew Grady, aim to bring the richness of classical music to the communities of Elstree and Borehamwood.

Conducted by Derek Holland, the upcoming concert will showcase a diverse repertoire, including compositions by Peter Wilson, Leopold Mozart, Robert Bark, Leroy Anderson, Roderic Elmer, and Cécile Chaminade.

The evening will culminate with a performance of Mozart’s renowned “The Paris Symphony.”

Continuing their tradition, the orchestra will feature talented soloists from within its ranks. Alison Perry will dazzle the audience with her rendition of the Trumpet Concerto in D.

Lucy Cumming, the orchestra’s leader, along with Principal Oboist Barry Solomon, will captivate listeners with their performance of Bach’s Concerto for Oboe and Violin.

Emma Brown, the orchestra’s Principal Flautist, will enchant the audience with Chaminade’s Concertino for Flute and Orchestra.

This concert is a fundraising event for All Saints Church and is part of the Civic Festival organized by Elstree and Borehamwood Town Council.

Tickets for this enchanting concert can be obtained by emailing elstmozartplayers@outlook.com or by contacting Andrew Grady at 0208 953 7363 or Pat Strack at 0208 386 3151.

Alternatively, tickets can be purchased online through the ticket source website: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/elstree-mozart-players/t-ojpkpox