Concert - Sunday June 4th 2023
(click picture to
enlarge)
A bright sunny day
– one of the warmest so far
this year – saw the annual
Light Music Concert at the
British Home in Streatham,
London, given by the Mark
Fitz-Gerald Orchestra.
Previously these
have been held in February, but
the decision was taken to
re-schedule this one to June; it
is understood that the revised
date will continue in the future.
It certainly
resulted in a good attendance,
both from visitors and residents
alike, who were entertained by a
most enjoyable afternoon of the
kind of music which –
unfortunately – is all-too
conspicuous by its virtual
absence these days.
Mark Fitz-Gerald
has a great affinity for this
genre, and his orchestra –
consisting of professional
musicians who play
‘pro-bono’ on their day
off, together with a good number
of very accomplished amateur
instrumentalists – seems to
get better and better as the
years go by !
The full programme
was as follows:-
Theatreland
* - Jack Strachey
Sally Tries The Ballet -
Charles Williams
Romeo and Juliet-Pastorale
- Edward German
Amparito Roca - Jaime
Texidor
Invocation and Dance Of A
Whimsical Elf [two movements
from A Day In Fairyland]
- Haydn Wood.
Cabana - Edward White
Little Serenade - Ernest
Tomlinson
In A Persian Market -
Albert Ketèlbey
Serenade To Youth -
Haydn Wood
Teddy Bears’ Picnic
- John Bratton
Lazy Night - Eric Coates
London Calling - Eric
Coates
Westminster Waltz -
Robert Farnon
*This has now
become the regular signature-tune
for these concerts.
Midway through the
session, we were treated to an
additional item – an
impromptu unaccompanied solo
rendition of the famous
Northumberland folk song, Blow
The Wind Southerly, by one
of the residents called Naomi
Hyamson.
Westminster
Waltz was originally
intended as the scheduled encore,
but such was the enthusiasm of
the audience that the orchestra
also obliged with a repeat
performance of Amparito Roca
– so we had two for the
price of one !
Many thanks and
congratulations are due to Mark
Fitz-Gerald and his splendid
orchestra, to oboist Ian Finn for
choosing and organising the
repertoire, and to trombonist
Frances Barrett, who handled all
the administrative arrangements
and introduced each item on the
programme.
All of this was in
aid of a very deserving cause, as
it raised funds for the British
Home, which is a Royal Charter
Charity providing accommodation
and support for people living
with neuro-disability.
I’m sure I
speak for everyone when I say how
much we are looking-forward to
next year’s concert !
© Tony
Clayden
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