World renowned orchestra’s‘outstanding’ gala concert

The spectacular concert was the main opening event of the Bexhill Festival of Music, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s (RPO) tribute to the genius of Tchaikovsky received rapturous applause from a captivated audience.

Conductor Brian Wright expertly guided 70 musicians through an explosive celebration of Tchaikovsky’s greatest compositions; Marche Slave, Piano Concerto No.1, Capriccio Italien, The Nutcracker Suite, and the 1812 Overture.

The outstanding expertise of the RPO’s musicians as they played a cornucopia of brass, wind, percussion and strings, including violins, flutes, cellos, trombones, french horns, and harp, blended in perfect harmony from the first note to the last and left the audience begging for more. Complimenting the main orchestrsa was rising star Alexandra Dariescu on the piano. Ms Dariescu’s talents enthralled the audience with her performance as her fingers literally flew along the keys.

Following the concert, praise for the RPO’s performance was high. Comments included: “Enjoyed it immensely”, “Outstanding”, “Awesome”, and “Absolutely fabulous”. One Bexhillian said: “It was brilliant to see the De La Warr full of people who’d come to see this fantastic concert - this is the sort of thing we want to see in Bexhill.”

Conductor Barry Wright, who lives in Bexhill and is a guest conductor to the RPO approximately 10 times a year admitted that, despite appearing incredibly calm he still gets slightly nervous prior to a concert. Mr Wright’s extensive career takes him to all corners of the world and is Music Director of the highly regarded Maidstone Symphony Orchestra. He said he thinks the local area has been “starved of classical music for the past 15-20 years”, adding: “It’s been a joy to bring one of the world’s finest orchestras to Bexhill. It’s marvellous that the support has been so terrific for this concert.”

Chairman of the Bexhill Festival of Music (BFM) Tony Mansi said he was “thrilled” to welcome the RPO as the opening event to this year’s festival, adding: “This is the Bexhill Festival of Music’s seventh year and we thank the DLWP for their help and support in arranging for the RPO to perform this fantastic concert here for us.

“And don’t forget that there are many other BFM events throughout the month of June so please pick up a brochure and support us as much as you can.”

Sally Ann Lycett, Director of External Relations at the DLWP said securing the RPO to perform at the DLWP was a coup. “We were so very, very pleased that we were able to present this fantastic world renowned orchestra here in Bexhill.”

For festival events visit the website at: www.bexhillfestivalofmusic.co.uk