A unique and inviting experience at Smith Square Hall!
Smith Square Hall is home to this concert by Fantasia Orchestra. As a first time visitor to the venue, it is a magnificent venue with a beautiful candelabra in the centre. It really helps to bring the music from stage to life. Fantasia Orchestra is celebrating their tenth anniversary this year and continues to advocate for distinctive orchestral ensembles: with genre-crossing programming such as this concert. Being upfront, I’ve yet to attend an orchestra concert so I was both apprehensive and enthusiastic to see this live.
Tom Fetherstonhaugh conducts this arrangement by Harry Baker with elegance and depth. Baker’s arrangements mix classic and jazz in such a way which feels like a journey and experience. As the Artistic Director of Fantasia Orchestra, Fetherstonhaugh has years of experience, being featured in BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall. Within this concert, solo musicians featured include Steven Osborne on piano and Aaron Akugbo on trumpet. Osborne is a beloved musician, with an OBE for his services towards music. Akugbo is a growing talent, with a following for his talent of his instrument. Other musicians involved in this concert are displayed below.
The evening started with the Divertimento by Bartók featuring the string orchestra. The piece was excellently navigated, moving through each movement. Divertimento showcases Bartók’s travels with varying musical motifs. It was a highlight of this evenings performances.
Gershwin’s only opera Porgy and Bess has representation this evening with Osborne playing his transcription of Bill Evan’s version of I Loves You, Porgy. The score was excellently composed and beautifully executed, with special feature of Osborne’s talents shining through.
My personal favourite of the evening was Rogers and Harts My Funny Valentine the musical Babes in Arms. The song allowed Akugbo to shine on the trumpet, though this was profound throughout the entire concert. I felt it worked well within the programme, allowing for an evoking a slightly different feeling for the audience.
The rest of the concert program is as followed:
Fantasia Orchestra have an upcoming concert on Friday 3rd July, featuring music from the twentieth-century. Book now!
Tickets for this performance were provided complimentary. Many thanks to ANR PR and Fantasia Orchestra for the evening!
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