THE Aurora Ensemble – Gwenllian Davies, oboe, Andrew Mason, clarinet, and Stuart Russell, bassoon – gave the third concert in this DCMMS season. After some slight tuning problems in the opening Rossini and Mozart pieces, they soon settled down to produce a well-blended generous sound, aided and abetted by the hall’s much admired acoustic.
After an arrangement for wind trio of two songs by Schubert, oboist Gwenllian performed Pan and Bacchus, two of Benjamin Britten’s six Metamorphoses.
To end the first half, they played one of the two pieces specifically composed for wind trio – Jacques Ibert writing this five movement work.
The second half brought Haydn, Stravinsky, Auric and Bizet. Bizet’s Habanera is an aria from his opera Carmen, and in this arrangement we heard some wonderfully slinky playing.
To end the concert they performed three of Scott Joplin’s Rags. Their infectious playing sent the audience out smiling.
The society’s next concert is on January 21, given by the young Chinese virtuoso pianist, Ji Liu.
RUSSELL DAWSON
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here