Joe Fuller: Brighton Philharmonic

The BPO present an intimate chamber concert at Brighton Unitarian Church

In the last few months alone I’ve seen some truly stunning shows for only £10-£15, including Benjamin Appl, Barbara Hannigan and the Britten Sinfonia, Huw Wiggin, Terry Riley’s In C, Alice Coote and more. These were some of the most moving shows I’ve ever been to, with Appl particularly astounding me through the purity of his sublime baritone voice and an organic interplay with pianist James Baileu.
Seeing performers live is the perfect way to open one’s mind to the beauty, power and joyous musicality of classical music. Concerts can be intoxicating experiences even if one doesn’t know the piece back to front or have an awareness about the more technical side of things.
The aim of this column is to showcase the range of dazzling classical music on offer in and around Brighton, and also to discuss the background of composers and information on standout tracks. Hopefully people will be encouraged to try listening themselves and then attend some fantastic shows.
On that note, there is an exciting concert this Sunday from the Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra at Brighton Unitarian Church (5pm, £15). This one is a chamber music concert, meaning that there won’t be a full orchestra but there will be players from the BPO. Such shows are often intricate, beguiling affairs where you feel close to the action and get a closer look at the performers and how they play. There’s usually no conductor so you also get a fascinating insight into how players direct proceedings themselves, often involving weighted glances, head nods, and sometimes even full-blown foot stomping.

Barry Mills’ 2007 String Quartet will open the show, a loose, modern piece with gliding strings and haunting flourishes. Mills gained a degree in Biochemistry and an MA in Music from Sussex University so it’s good to have another local flavour in the concert.
Gordon Jacob’s Suite for Bassoon and String Quartet will follow, which is a thrilling and dark but accessible piece featuring layers of strings that might remind you of an underwater, slinking descent in some sort of surreal film I just imagined. The bassoon is a full, rich sounding instrument that adds some smooth tones to the sound world of the strings; it will surely be well played by the experienced Jonathan Price.
The buoyant final movement has given Haydn’s Quartet no. 3 in G minor the moniker ‘The Rider’ and it’s certainly a fun finale. Haydn is a huge figure in classical music. Initially seen as merely a precursor to Mozart (and accordingly nicknamed ‘Papa Joe’ by some), he has gradually been held in higher regard, credited with making big strides in harmony and melody as well as popularising the symphony and the string quartet.
This programme is therefore finely balanced, with the Haydn a perfect introduction to the music of the Classical period and newer, stranger pieces so there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra, part of the Summer Chamber Music series, Brighton Unitarian Church, Sunday 9 August, £15, www.brightonticketshop.com