DISRUPTORS by Manchester Camerata

A real treat to see Manchester Camerata perform at Albert Hall, a stunning and unique venue, our balcony seats giving us a birds eye view of the performance.

DISRUPTORS celebrates challenging the status quo, something that resonated with us as the world can seem fractious and oppressive to many at present.

First piece was Actions Speak Louder by Carmel Smickersgill, who is known for her compositions which fuse traditional and electronic sounds, creating new sonic experiences.

This piece was fascinating and unusual, bringing in each section of orchestra gradually and including audience participation at points along the way, clapping in time, shouting approval, even floor stamping was encouraged! A lot of fun for the audience, particularly the younger members, who embraced it.

 Such a departure from the traditional performance. Smiles all round and lots of joining in.

The younger audience were mainly members of HideOut YouthZone’s Sunday Club in Gorton who had been meeting weekly with Camerata and Carmel to create a new piece to be performed at this show. Called Wake Up! it called to us all to seize the day and not become focused on negativity. It was an absolutely charming performance, the enthusiasm and energy of the youngsters was infectious, the audience engaged with and delighted in it.

The 2 other more traditional pieces were both Beethoven, Piano Concerto Number 1 and Symphony Number 8. Joyously described as the original punk, writing to his own desire and not influenced by the patrons of the day, his music style fast tempos, with sudden bursts of energy and intensity plus his championing of the common man made him a perfect Disruptor for this evening.

The Piano Concerto was played by Ethan David Loch, Young Musician of the Year finalist. He is 20 years old and blind from birth and is internationally recognised for his performance skills. The piece is gorgeous. He played so incredibly assuredly that it was spellbinding, the skill and passion for the piece was very impressive and the audience loved it, and him. Truly magical. Manchester Camerata were the perfect orchestra alongside him, and clearly all enjoying it immensely.

We were then treated to one of his own compositions, written after a dream involving 2 composers arguing about a joint composition, which Ethan then wrote and finished when he woke up, it was delightful, energetic, mischievous almost. The audience didn’t want to let him go.

Camerata finished the evening with Symphony Number 8, another smashing performance and we were able to express our appreciation by carrying on the instructions from Carmel’s piece, “ stamp your feet!!”

Absolutely lovely evening! Thank you to Manchester Camerata, Albert Hall and all staff.

Do visit Manchester Camerata website for further updates and information about the valuable work they do in the local Gorton community, and with dementia care.

Christine Ince for Canal St Media

Published: 3-May-2024 (7467)