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Prom on the Close 2007 Review

Taken from Bristol Evening Post, July 2007

Russell Watson may have been the jewel in the crown as far as this concert was concerned but there were several other nice musical gems on view. Three of these were "in house" performers. Ha-Young Jung gave a virtuoso double bass performance of Bottesini's La Somnambula, 11-year-old violinist Julia Hwang captivated the audience with her playing of the Ladies in Lavender theme and the chapel choir of Clifton College showed their love of singing in every number they were involved in whether backing others or in their own right. Before Russell could stamp his charm and authority on proceedings, All Angels took centre stage with 17-year-old Rebecca Hutter from Red Maids' School, who saw off competition from 50 other candidates to join the four teenagers on stage. Together they brought to classical music the uninhibited enthusiasm you associate more often with the world of pop. Add to all that the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra perfectly timing the Dambusters March as the veteran aircraft of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flew overhead and you can see there was a great deal to live up to. The wait as far as Russell Watson's fans were concerned was well worth it as he mixed popular classics like O Sole Mio and Grenada with Volare and, accompanied by the choir, a beautiful arrangement of Swing Low Sweet Chariot. The fan's only complaint would have been that several encores were not on offer. Mine would be that this concert, which in six years has established itself as a premier open-air music event, did not have the strong hand of an overall producer on it. Some of the presentation and staging lacked a distinctive touch. For all of that, with its rousing traditional "last night of the proms" finale performed in a wonderful setting which all but defies the audience not to join in, it was once again an evening to savour.

Gerry Parker
Bristol Evening Post

© 2006 Clifton College