To round out the 2025/26 Marlborough College Concert Series, we once again welcomed back our professional orchestra-in-partnership Sinfonia Smith Square in a tantalising programme of Beethoven and Tchaikovsky.
The Beethoven took the form of his Piano Concerto No.5 where the soloist was the award-winning pianist, Jamie Cochrane. Cochrane produced a performance of immense musical flair and consummate artistry, with fastidious attention to all the necessary Beethoven detail, which allowed the work to ebb and flow quite beautifully. There was impeccable attention to articulation and balance, with the notable Memorial Hall acoustics ensuring that we heard every subtle nuance and colour to perfection. Conductor Simon Over was an attentive and sensitive guide as he navigated the orchestra through the myriads of moods and characters that this masterpiece presents and there could be no better illustration of that than the opening of the slow movement – just sublime.
After the interval, Sinfonia Smith Square produced a suitably dramatic and expressive performance of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No.4. This massive work requires huge concentration and emotional input and the Sinfonia didn’t disappoint. There was some ravishing playing from the strings, alongside some exquisite solos from the oboe and flute, and backed by some gloriously well-crafted brass playing. The finale was also enhanced by some spirited and characterful percussion playing too.
What a treat as well to see an absolutely packed hall to witness this marvelous spectacle. The Sinfonia’s residency and association with the College is now in its 18th year and shows no sign of diminishing in its success or popularity. How fortunate we are to have that lasting relationship and long may it continue.
Philip Dukes FGSM; Hon ARAM
Artistic Director, Marlborough College
Associate Artistic Director, Savannah Music Festival, USA
