Feoffees Hall, Colyton - Sunday 8 March 2026

• Rossini - The Italian Girl in Algiers Overture
• Doppler - Andante and Rondo for two flutes Op 25
• Dvorak - Czech Suite Op 39
• Schubert - Symphony No 4 in C minor D417 (Tragic Symphony)

We talk of “The Grand Finale” and this is certainly what concluded the Axe Vale Orchestra’s splendid Sunday afternoon concert. The entire orchestra performed together to produce a rich, powerful sound that truly engulfed those who had just been transported through time, place and emotions since arriving at this welcoming venue. A well-balanced programme had, in turn, excited us, delighted us, invigorated us and pulled on our heart-strings.

But this performance not only demonstrated the strength of the entire ensemble, it also highlighted dynamic contrasts and the varying tone colours that different instruments and orchestral sections bring to a live performance, an holistic experience far greater than any recorded one. The extremely quiet moments are equally important as the very loud. We experienced both and much more.

Excitement was brought to us by the overture, Rossini’s The Italian Girl in Algiers. Teasing motifs, powerful interjections, good tunes and prolonged crescendos were convincingly delivered under conductor Walter Brewster’s expert direction.

By contrast, Doppler’s delightful Andante and Rondo for Two Flutes was a more intimate experience. This was a beautifully balanced performance from AVO’s two flautists, Jane Smith and Suzanne de Lozey, each expertly complementing the other’s playing. Sensitively supporting this in the background were the warm-sounding string sections of the orchestra. A very special performance, with a link to the events of current times; Franz Doppler was born in Ukraine at what is now known as Lviv. It was also interesting to read, in the informative, beautifully illustrated programme, that Franz Doppler and Franz Schubert were personal friends

Dvorak based his Czech Suite on the folk dances of vernacular village bands. The opening change of harmony took us immediately to the location, different timbres evoking the scenes. Enjoyable though these five contrasting movements were to hear, my particular praise goes to the beautiful tone and impeccable tuning of the soaring first violin section; definitely, for me, the proverbial icing on top of the expertly cooked cake.

The bold, assured opening chord of the second half of the concert immediately changed our mood to a more thoughtful and reflective one. It’s hard to believe that this emotionally powerful fourth symphony was written by Schubert when he was only nineteen years old, but it is his reaction to the way life was treating him at that time. Its descriptive name “Tragic”, however, should not deter the listener. There’s so much to enjoy, from the gorgeous introduction of the plaintive melody in the slow movement, played by the oboe, to the very busy, quiet supportive role of the strings, especially in the last movement. Walter Brewster’s preparation for this movement was a joy to watch and the orchestra responded superbly, producing another wonderful, powerful crescendo and increase in tempo before demonstrating just how well it can produce a most grand finale to an excellent concert.

There’s one little thought I’d like to add. It’s always great to applaud each section of the orchestra in turn at the end of a performance, but I wonder whether the orchestra might acknowledge and welcome their conductor when he enters at the beginning of a concert by standing – and then the audience would also have a glimpse of the players before they sit down.

The Axe Vale Orchestra’s next concert is on Sunday 7^th June,  3.30pm, The Minster Church, Axminster. Bizet, Dvorak, Beethoven, tickets available now from www.axevaleorchestra.com.

Barbara Padfield

Feoffees Hall, Colyton - Sunday 19 October 2025

• Orff - Carmina Burana - arr Friedrich K Wanek for double wind quintet
• Elgar - Serenade for Strings Op 20
• Finzi - Five Bagatelles for clarinet and strings - soloist - Chris Gradwell
• Haydn - Symphony No 96 in D major

The Minster, Axminster - Sunday 18 May 2025

• Mozart - The Impresario Overture
• Mendelssohn - Selection of Incidental Music to a Midsummer Night's Dream
• Beethoven - Symphony No 2 in D major Op 36

On Sunday afternoon the Axe Vale Orchestra performed another lively concert in Axminster Minster Church: Mozart, Mendelssohn and Beethoven.

An excellent piece to open the concert, Mozart’s overture to The Impresario set up a theme that would run through the whole afternoon: strong ensemble and finely judged balance. This is not a group of musicians who are vague or sloppy with note lengths. Their conductor, Walter Brewster, demands immense concentration and accurate following of his beat. Indeed, the AVO is fortunate to benefit from the conductor who can claim to have the crispest beat in the West.

Three excerpts from the Incidental Music to a Midsummer Night’s Dream started with an atmosphere of mystery in the Intermezzo, then reflection in the Nocturne and finally jollity and controlled excitement in the Scherzo. It is a great pleasure to hear such controlled crescendi and fast passages. In their pews, members of the audience could be seen at times surreptitiously jiggling in time with the frenetic, dancing rhythms. It could not be helped. We could visualise feverish flights of fairies and appreciate the flow of tension and release in the music. Thanks to Mendelssohn, thanks also to Walter Brewster. Immaculate flute playing allowed the spell to cast to the very last note of the piece.

After the interval came Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2. It is actually quite unusual to hear a live performance of this piece, it’s far more likely that it is known from recordings. This is a pity, for there is so much detail that can be enjoyed in the concert hall. Syncopations, games of throw and catch between instruments of passages, surprising changes of rhythms, conversations between groups of instruments. It was clear that Walter had been pushing the orchestra hard in rehearsals. Sensitive playing and performances full of contrasts are the result.

The splendid Minster Church suits an orchestra of this size perfectly. When the performers are at their most energetic it makes for a thrilling body of sound without shattering any windows.

Excellent tea and cakes were enjoyed on the green rounded off a spirit-lifting concert.

T Love