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The
Schubert Ensemble Blackheath Halls,
16 March 2003
The Schubert Ensemble usually includes one of its own commissions in their programmes. This Sunday morning it was the turn of the prolific Scottish composer Rory Boyle (b. 1951) who lives in South Ayrshire. Phaeton's Dancing Lesson (2002) is a continuous piece lasting about ¼ hour, which depicts graphically the violent ill-fated journey of the son of Phoebus the sun god. He is unable to control the chariot of the sun, causing havoc and ending in spectacular oblivion. The composer explains that the fast outer sections are Dithyrambs, wild Greek dances, sharing thematic material, as do the inner slower dances (Waltz and Saraband). The central Tango section is based on a serial row which allows for some jazz chords in the harmonies. The musical language is dramatic and accessible, crafted with sure expertise and welcomed by the Blackheath Sundays audience. There was a special surprise; Simon Blendis explained why the concert was moved down to the Large Hall; it was so that William Howard might have the opportunity to be the first to play in public (and we to hear) the new Fazioli grand, which had been acquired by the Halls that week. No need for comment on the familiar Mozart and Fauré performances; these players (cello, Jane Salmon; viola, Douglas Paterson - no double bass today) produce reliable and vital accounts of the standard works in their large repertoire, the fruit of many years playing and touring together. Peter Grahame Woolf |
