BPO – A Celtic Christmas with Kathryn Tickell and Friends

Joanna MacGregor, Music Director of the Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra, is on a mission.  Her intention is not only to introduce new audiences to classical music but also to delight and surprise regular concertgoers.  On Sunday at the Dome she presented us with a real festive treat, a pre-Christmas stocking full of wonderful and unexpected musical gifts.

Energy and humour were to the fore at the outset with Percy Grainger’s orchestral variations Green Bushes, the ‘dance-folksong’ on which it is based being given early 20th century rhythmic and harmonic treatment with the composer’s usual flare. Possibly a first for the BPO was the appearance in the orchestra of a harmonium, played on this occasion by the British-Canadian composer Isabella Gillis, who also featured later as a skilful arranger with a new ending to Grainger’s famous Shepherd’s Hey, which received a rapturous reception.

With the arrival on stage of Kathryn Tickell, the foremost exponent of the Northumbrian pipes, and Amy Thatcher the celebrated accordionist, the party really got underway. The Northumbrian pipes, which use an arm controlled bellows to ‘blow’ them, can express a wide range of moods, from the hauntingly plaintive (Whence is that Goodly Fragrance) to the exuberant (Bill Charlton’s Fancy).  A number of reels, either arranged or composed by Kathryn herself, demonstrated her breathtaking virtuosity on the instrument.  By contrast, Here’s the Tender Coming, written for her by Howard Skempton, shows how affecting the instrument can be, especially when sensitively accompanied by the BPO strings.

Amy Thatcher performed one of her own compositions (as yet untitled) demonstrating what a versatile and expressive instrument the accordion can be.  She also provided another first at a Philharmonic concert  by demonstrating her expertise as a clog dancer in Yule Reel, Katherine this time playing the fiddle.

Adaptability and versatility were everywhere during Sunday’s concert.  The orchestra’s Leader, Thomas Gould, showed he could play the fiddle along with the best when he joined Kathryn, Amy and Joanna for New Rigged Ship, a Shetland folksong. Joanna MacGregor was required to play the side drum as part of her performance of Shamnation, a movement from James MacMillan’s Piano Concerto No. 2.  This wild Scottish reel eventually hurtles out of control demanding some explosive pianism from Joanna.  The movement required percussive playing from both pianist and string players, who also added some vocal embellishments at one point.

Amongst all the energy and joy there were also some deeply poignant moments.  None more so than Joanna’s  arrangement of Tom Waits’ Georgia Lee for piano and strings, a tribute to Ken and Asta Childerhouse, who died recently on the same day after many years of supporting the BPO.  The Brighton Philharmonic Society is an extended family for many, and this performance was very much in keeping with that.

The BPO have been thrilling audiences for almost a century with outstanding performances of the classical repertoire.  Long may this continue of course, and the inclusion of concerts such as this can only enhance its much deserved reputation.

Dome Concert Hall
5 December 2021

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