Aspidistra
Drawing Room Orchestra Concert
May 31st
2021
After a
year’s absence –
perforce due to the Covid virus
– and following a miserably
wet and mostly cold May, a
wonderfully warm and sunny Spring
Bank Holiday Monday heralded a
most welcome return of the
Aspidistra Drawing Room Orchestra
to the historic Lauderdale House
on Highgate Hill, North London.
The venue's staff
had ingeniously managed to
arrange socially-distanced
seating in family 'bubbles'. I am
told that the attendance was,
however, nearly as great as at
the ADRO's previous concerts. In
addition, due to the marvels of
modern technology and some
intensive work by the orchestra's
flautist, Ana Arnold, the event
was streamed and watched by very
many more people.
With the exception
of 2020, Adam Bakker and his
intrepid band of musicians have
presented a concert annually
since 2003. A good number of us,
including 'yours truly', have
managed to attend every single
one, and there were many
'regulars' present, together with
some new friends as well.
The instrumental
line-up consists of a string
quartet, i.e. two violins, viola
and cello, together with piano,
oboe/cor-anglais and flute/
piccolo. This has always required
the creation of special
arrangements, a task chiefly
undertaken by Adam, although in
earlier days former flautist Roy
Bell also contributed to the
ensemble's now extensive
repertoire.
Almost all the
items were given an 'airing' for
the first time by the ADRO and we
were treated to an interesting
selection of pieces by composers
hailing from several different
parts of the world.
Traditionally,
Palm Court orchestras were
regularly hired to provide
entertainment before the advent
of sound recording. They played
the popular music of the period,
together with reduced
arrangements of great orchestral
works, which often didn't make
for a great deal of authenticity
!
There was no
particular 'theme' to this
concert, but there were several
recurring subjects –
animals, love, dance and
nostalgia being the main ones.
The diverse programme included
Jaime Texidor's Amparito
Rocca, Duke Ellington's Creole
Love Call, the Donkey
Serenade by Rudolf Friml, Pony
by Josef Rixner, two relatively
modern titles, Beachcomber
by Clive Richardson and Sydney
Del Monte's Heather On The
Pampas, and the traditional
tune Eriskay Love Lilt.
A few songs were
included, performed by
mezzo-sopranos Camilla Cutts and
Liz Menezes, who is also the lead
violinist. Amongst others, Liz
sang Walter Hirsch's novelty
song, Horsey ! Keep Your Tail
Up. Liz mentioned that her
grandmother used to sing this to
her – as did my grandmother
to me ! Camilla gave a wonderful
rendition of the Habenera
from George Bizet’s Carmen.
The final
scheduled item was the song Keep
The Home Fires Burning, by
Ivor Novello, expressing a
sentiment which is very
appropriate for these troubled
times.
As always, the
Orchestra performed with great
style and enthusiasm, and it is
no exaggeration to say that a
thoroughly enjoyable afternoon
was had by all; it is hoped that
we will be treated to 'more of
the same' next year.
? Tony Clayden
2021
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