Emily Ferrie at The University of Liverpool’s Eleanor Rathbone Building. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

The University of Liverpool’s Symphony Orchestra is a wonderful sight to hold when in full flight, when tackling the works of Beethoven, Bartok, Mozart and Mussorgsky then it is a positive delight for the seasoned Classical music buff and interested novice alike.

The Orchestra was conducted by Tony Shorrocks and the crowd that assembled inside the newly refurbished Eleanor Rathbone building’s major theatre were given a brilliant rendition of the four major pieces of work, especially Mussorgsky’s Night on a Bare Mountain which had the audience enthralled during its entire performance and Bartok’s Viola Concerto which was performed with the exquisite Emily Ferrie as its lead performer.

To watch a string section perform this work so well was like watching a well-rehearsed Shakespearian play, every moment timed to perfection, every entry and departure managed perfectly and as the piece progressed, the tender and illuminating sounds coming from Emily Ferrie were enough to make a heart weep with joy.

The night would not have been successful though without its volunteers from the University of Liverpool, who it has to be remarked upon had been practising intently for the four pieces on offer,  and yet for University students the commitment they showed in delivering these magnificent pieces of artistic endeavour does them absolute credit. With a huge orchestra there has to be a resolute rule on timing and in this the brass, wind, percussion and strings sections were absolutely right on the button and it was a thrill to see them play so well together.

The night was rounded off perfectly with Mr. Shorrocks taking the ensemble through their paces with a superlative interpretation of Mozart’s Haffner Symphony No 35.

A splendid all round performance from the University of Liverpool’s Symphony Orchestra and no matter where the players were from, be it the south coast of England, mainland Europe or the Faroe Islands, they played as one.

Ian D. Hall