London Chamber Orchestra
(Led by Thomas Carter )
Conductor, Anthony Bernard
The three preludes to be heard tonight, and especially the third, illustrate the care with which Bach sets the mood appropriate to each cantata. The first is for a wedding, and the second for a Christmas service. The third (for Low Sunday) brings to mind the growing darkness of the evening in which Jesus appeared to his disciples, and the calm which his presence brought to their troubled hearts. For this wonderful movement Bach uses only strings, two oboes, and a bassoon (the latter for once quite independent of the bass), with organ continuo.
Schubert's Fifth Symphony is an entrancing work with almost the intimate spirit of chamber music; for Schubert wrote it in September 1816 to be played by the small group of amateurs who used to meet at his father's house. To judge from this score, the ensemble lacked clarinets and heavy brass; but in form and proportions the work is a true symphony. Michael Whewell Schubert's Symphony No. 6: next Sunday