A Classical Spectacular, Bolton Junior Youth Orchestra, Albert Halls, Bolton BOLTON JYO was last night kept on its mettle by the enthusiasm of a disappointingly small audience.

Conductor Elizabeth Forrest can achieve splendid results with her charges in such rousing pieces as Walton's Crown Imperial which brought the programme to a close.

Joined by Borough Organist Brian Smith for this work, the orchestra produced a rich sound that prompted prolonged applause. Most of BJYO's programme consisted of such stirring pieces.

The orchestra as excellent in Sullivan's Orchestra Fanfare and March from Iolanthe and in Bizet's rhythmic Farandole from his L'Arlesienne Suite No 2.

The orchestra always seems to enjoy Verdi's's Grand March from Aida and Strauss's Radetzky March and gave them its all last night.

There were some lighter moments as in Suppe's Light Cavalry Overture, another work that is familiar to the orchestra but of which it never tires.

Isaac's arrangement of Sailing Songs again found the orchestra in light-hearted mood and had the audience clapping along.

An orchestra member, James Berry, was at the organ for Purcell's Trumpet Tune and Air, which opened the concert, and that instrument was featured to good effect last night.

Brian Smith had three solo slots in which he showed great versatility, playing pieces in a variety of styles and moods. I particularly admired his dexterity in the Toccata in F by C M Vidor.

The orchestra played a total of 12 works, a suite from Carmen and another from Tannhauser each having three movements. This was a tour de force for such a young orchestra.

DOREEN CROWTHER

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