Rimma Sushanskaya

What a Concert!

This was a truly amazing finale to the 10th Bach & Paganini Festival!  The festival students made up the violin section of the Stratford Virtuosi Orchestra while professional musicians were brought in complete the ensemble.  They started with Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No 3 in G and this was followed by the Concerto for 4 violins, Op 3, No 10 in B Minor by Vivaldi.  The four violin soloists were Joo Yeon Sir (Korea), Francois Pineau-Benois (France), Charlotte Beresford (UK) and John Garner (UK).   The next piece was Rounds by David Diamond before an interval which gave the audience time to mingle, and absorb the atmosphere of the  lovely Holy Trinity Church  which is the parish church of Stratford-upon-Avon and the burial place of William Shakespeare.

During the second half of the concert the orchestra performed Mozart’s Symphony No. 29 in A major.  The Mayor Elect, Stratford-upon-Avon, Councillor Edward Keith Ward (seen above) gave a speech thanking the international students, music and festival director, teachers and professional musicians for such a wonderful performance.

This is a good opportunity to thank Charlotte Beresford for all her hard work leading up to, and during the festival.  She is the quiet but busy Festival Administrator (seen on the left) behind the scenes who makes sure everyone is OK, people are in the right place at the right time, music is available, accommodation comfortable, programmes get printed etc.  etc.  Charlotte you are a star! We would also like to thanks others as well who quietly work behind the scenes including Lesley, Etta and David.

Watch out for further information on the 11th Bach & Paganini Festival in August 2012!