Concert reviews

My support and praise to the orchestra for that magnificent performance of Shostakovich 5.

We have spent many a lovely afternoon enjoying great music in the company of the Trinity Camerata but to my mind that of 17 May has to be top of a very distinguished list. Music from two of my favourite composers, including my favourite symphony, played with skill, precision and commitment, who could ask for more? Totally brilliant - my heartfelt thanks to all who contributed to this wonderfully satisfying afternoon.

Conductor Joe Davies bounded onto the rostrum and we were off! Straight into the action - a lively opening to a concert that was to be full of dramatic action and virtuosity. Right from its first performance Mozart’s Don Giovanni has been acknowledged as one of his finest works, and we were privileged to hear the overture’s kaleidoscope of conflicting passions so excitingly presented. The sense of operatic drama continued in Weber’s Second Clarinet Concerto, in which the soloist alternates between virtuosic arioso and lyrical recitative. Alex Buckley’s command of his instrument was quite astonishing, racing through scale passages with breath-taking speed, and filling the church with top register sound at the climaxes, while in the quieter sections achieving an almost magical pianissimo. Brahms’ Second Symphony is a much more complex work, the first movement expanding gradually from its opening motif to reveal a wide expressive landscape; there is a beautiful cello tune in the second movement (which must have influenced Elgar), a Mahlerian Ländler in the third, and in the grand finale, sonorous trombone chords underpinning its monumental conclusion. It was thrilling to hear the Camerata orchestra respond to Joe Davies’ authoritative direction with real dedication and enthusiasm, and the audience’s heartfelt and prolonged applause in appreciation of this concert was testament to their skill and musicianship. A superb concert - congratulations to all involved.

I recently went to the Trinity Camerata concert as they were playing one of my favourite pieces from childhood - the Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra. It was stunning and really well played. As an adult, I could appreciate the difficulty of what they were playing. The acoustics in the church really lend themselves to both the quiet sections and the crescendos that echoed around the church. They also played some music from popular films. My son particularly enjoyed spotting the 007 themes in the bond compilation. All in all an extremely enjoyable Sunday afternoon for all the family.

The Camerata concert was absolutely lovely, and our entire family had a wonderful time.

Both of our kids, ages 5 and 8, were thoroughly engaged and enjoyed every moment, especially the way each group of instruments was introduced and demonstrated in such an educational and entertaining way. The music selections were fantastic, and every musician played with enthusiasm, creating a beautiful, unified sound that captivated the audience. It was a lovely blend of learning and enjoyment, and we left feeling inspired and appreciative of the talents shared on stage. Thank you for a memorable experience!

It was a delight to have St Edburg’s used for such a beautiful creation as yesterday’s performance. It was wonderful to listen to and it must have been amazing to be part of. I am sure the angels in heaven themselves were singing along at the end!

Sincere thanks to Trinity Camerata for the opportunity to join the chorus for yesterday's Beethoven's 9^th Symphony 200^th anniversary performance. It was an occasion I'll remember with pleasure for a long time and one which I hope the orchestra will consider a great success.

Many congratulations for a truly wonderful concert. It was a great pleasure to be a part of it.

Thank you for this. It was a thrilling experience, and thank you so much for organising the whole day (and the workshop) so well. All four of my family in the audience were blown away.

Please pass on my congratulations to all. It was a wonderful, uplifting hour-and-a-bit. You were very brave to take on the challenge of putting on such a big work in a space that is less than ideal, but it worked beautifully. Sam Laughton’s introduction was very enlightening and entertaining too: it makes a difference to learn something about the composer and the work before hearing it. I shall look forward to your next venture.

Another splendid Sunday afternoon enjoying the company of Trinity Camerata in the warm acoustics of St Edburgs Church, where the disciplined ensemble and expressive solo playing brought the music of Bach, Mozart and above all, Haydn to joyous life.

A really great concert, your new conductor and leader are clearly most successful. The young soloist was a privilege to hear; what a good scheme that you can access someone of that calibre, and because one hears that Haydn concerto quite often, you do appreciate when the soloist is special. I very much enjoyed the trumpets coming through in the Bach orchestral suite. And Mozart, always a joy.

My favourite piece in the programme was Haydn’s 'Cello Concerto No 1, where the young soloist, Gerard Flotats, played with such delicacy and feeling that I was moved to tears (his is a name to look out for in the future). The orchestra supported him beautifully.

Long live Trinity Camerata!! Thank you so much for brightening our lives! Brilliant pure joy and fun. Thank you for all your rehearsing and time spent for our enjoyment. We book our holidays around your dates so as not to miss them.

What's the point of going to the Proms in London when we have an orchestra like this in Bicester?

The Trinity Camerata’s family concert was my 3yr old’s first experience of a classical concert. It was a wonderful experience. A perfectly balanced programme and just the right length for a small person. Our favourite was, of course, Bear Hunt. Lynne’s narration and the wonderful music from the orchestra was just perfection. Thank you, more please!

A great concert last Sunday, we did enjoy it. A well chosen mix, always good to hear Carmen, the Elgar unfamiliar but charming, and Sibelius 1st Symphony was wonderful, the orchestra took it in their stride - a lot of challenges for the woodwind and brass soloists which they rose to magnificently!  Well done all.

My goodness, what a concert and what would it have been without the horns? A superb afternoon and a therapeutic way to celebrate Mothering Sunday.

The Namensfeier (“Nameday”) Overture was new to me and played with delicacy; the Siegfried Idyll almost moved me to tears, and the start of the Brahms 1 caught my attention and captivated me throughout the piece. Joshua Asokan conducted the programme with energy and commitment. Bravo Trinity Camerata!