Concert, Sunday 10th May 1998

The Norfolk Symphony Orchestra seems to have reached the peak of its prowess. This was evident when, performing before a capacity audience on Sunday at Lynn's Corn Exchange, it manifested a virtuosity inconceivable a few years ago. The rough edges have been ironed out, and the quality of sound has improved by leaps and bounds.

Conductor James Stobart has been instrumental in its progress, and at Sunday's concert brought out every nuance of volume and tempo in the works performed.

The slow, solemn opening to Weber's overture, "Der Freischutz" was performed with consummate smoothness. This was followed by the eloquent horns heralding some really vivacious, full-orchestral playing of its reiterated theme.

Centre piece of the programme, however, was Prokoviev's popular piece for children, "Peter and the Wolf". This was devised to give youngsters some basic knowledge of the various instruments of the orchestra. Narrated with impeccable diction and expressive vocal variety by well-known local journalist Charles Roberts, it was an absolute delight. Each section of the orchestra gave a very graphic, musical illustration of the various animals depicted; particularly the brass and percussion sections, whose ominous sounds conjured up images of the sinister wolf.

Quintessential Tchaikovsky, in the form of his fifth symphony, constituted the final work on the programme. The fateful opening motto-theme proved just a preamble to some really dynamic, full-throttle orchestral playing. And, the singing strains of the Andante were enhanced by the fine solo horn playing of Roy Nunn. The delightful waltz rhythms of the third movement were highlighted by luscious string sounds, whereas the scintillating finale (considered, strangely, as the weakest part of the work) constituted a rip-roaring conclusion to a concert which showed the NSO at its very best.

Rex Mountain, "Lynn News", Friday 15/5/98.

A great display of musical versatility gave young people a delightful introduction to orchestral music and offered the more mature listener a stirring and romantic symphony.

The orchestra, conducted with sensitivity by James Stobart, was in fine form from the opening bars of Weber's Overture - "Der Freischutz", The Sharpshooter. Its magical theme set the tone for the concert.

Former EDP arts editor Charles Roberts narrated Prokoviev's "Peter and the Wolf", a children's story which loses none of its charm for adults. A seamless partnership of voice and instruments maintained a fine momentum. Mr. Roberts' lively and humorous presentation fully complemented the musical characterisations and as the evil French horns portrayed the wolf, the oboes the chirpy little bird and the strings revelled in the familiar Peter and the Wolf theme.

From this light-hearted platform the orchestra soared into Tchaikovsky's fifth symphony in which each section took turns to shine.

Alison Croose, "Eastern Daily Press", Monday 11/5/98.

Concert, Sunday 8th November 1998

Standing Ovation for last-minute virtuoso:

A talented Chinese violinist won a standing ovation at Lynn Corn Exchange - and saved the day for the Norfolk Symphony Orchestra.

Up-and-coming Oxford-born musician Priya Mitchell was due to play with the orchestra in a concert at the Lynn venue on Sunday afternoon. But organisers heard from her agent just four days beforehand that she had injured her hand playing with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Barbican on Monday and was forced to cancel.

NSO musical director, James Stobart, who conducted the orchestra on Sunday, said: "I think Xue-Wei is a friend of Priya's and did it as a favour, because the fees we pay don't normally attract this sort of artist. He was absolutely wonderful and got a standing ovation. We were very lucky he agreed to play considering he only had one day's notice."

Mr. Stobart said it was an extra special occasion, as Xue-Wei's father had come over from Beijing to visit and wasn't going to be able to hear him perform until the hastily-arranged Lynn date. Mr. Stobart said the violinist, who is in his 30s, was born in China and trained at the Guildhall School of Music in London.

"Lynn News", Friday 13/11/98.

What a spellbinding performance:

Mr. Xue-Wei, standing in at the very last moment, treated Lynn concertgoers to a magnificent performance of the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto, with the Norfolk Symphony Orchestra under James Stobart.

What a jewel to prize is the NSO, whose collaboration was superb in every respect, and the response to their fifth sell-out in a row was absolutely rapturous.

Xue-Wei left the whole audience (and orchestra and conductor!) absolutely stunned with a spellbinding virtuoso performance of staggering proportions, as his immaculate musicianship and fantastic technical brilliance brought the house down. He made wonderful sublime music, giving everything anybody could wish for, and to say that he was so relaxed (no TV histrionics) that he made it look easy is facetious, but only such a prodigious talent and consummate artistry can.

The opening item - Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune [Debussy] - is a tour de force of mega proportions, taking only nine minutes, but its ecstatic uniqueness has influenced every composer since its first performance in 1894. It is an extremely delicately balanced and refined piece of decorated orchestral filigree, full of sensuous pagan emotion, and gorged with eroticism and breathtakingly supple expressiveness and nuance. Beautiful shaded playing and veiled coloured hints abound in the sumptuous orchestration, with a spine-tingling middle section and a final detumescence fading as the faun falls back to sleep in the heat of the Sicilian sun. Any orchestra, solo players, and conductor who can pull it off as the NSO did must feel fairly satisfied.

The final item, Sibelius' Symphony No 5 in all its glory and majesty, brought the full excitement of yet another memorable NSO concert to a fitting end.

And may I say that James Stobart's wonderful programming shames the Summer Festival? Why are we persistently denied the appearance of our own talents at this level?

Neville Mackinder, "Lynn News", Friday 13/11/98.