News
Concert report, Grangewood Hall Wollaton
(May 19, 2007)On Saturday 19th May, Equinox played to a capacity audience at the Grangewood Hall, Wollaton.
Grangewood Methodist Church are celebrating 40 years and they hosted this concert as part of their celebrations and to raise funds for the church. Concert organisers were delighted with such a good turnout at the hall, which required extra seats to be brought into the hall to accommodate everyone.
Photo PT Graphics
With a programme ranging from baroque music to popular classics, Equinox showed the versatility of the saxophone, played as the full group and in smaller combinations.
In the first half the group demonstrated a light touch with arrangements of concertos by Vivaldi and Albinoni, both of which required delicacy and virtuosic flourishes. The more conventional quartet formation was used to good effect in a contemporary tango-inspired work by Roberto Marino. Alistair Parnell introduced the audience to the electronic saxophone (EWI) with a breathtaking display of its capabilities. The full forces of the group were then put to great effect in his arrangement of Percy Grainger's Lincolnshire Posy. This last item worked particularly well for the combination of instruments, and was enhanced by Andrew Pennill's thoughtful slideshow which provided a visual complement to the piece.
Andrew Pennill's slideshow was
a restful complement to the performance
The second half had a truly international flavour. Starting in Greece, Pedro Iturralde's 'Suite Hellenique' with its energetic cross-rhythms and improvised passages provided a rousing start, followed by Piazzola's evocative 'Oblivion'. A further change of style came with Gayle Lond playing Villa Llobos 'Fantasia' for soprano saxophone accompanied by Alistair Parnell on piano, further showing the flexibility of the personnel lineup.
The climax of the concert presented a series of pieces with Celtic connections. 'Boris Goes to Dublin' featured the alto saxophone and introduced Jon Oldershaw on percussion. A highlight for many will have been the evocative 'Lament' followed by 'Riverdance' by Bill Whelan. After a jazzy rendition of Van Morrison's 'Moondance, the concert closed with the group's encore of Richard Ingham's 'Mrs Malcolm'.
"Inspirational" Audience member
"The best concert we've had in forty years" Grangewood Church member
Next concert - Kinoulton May 26th 2007