The Axe Vale Orchestra’s concert, held on Sunday, May 21 in the Minster, Axminster, was a triumph of music and programming. 

There was some serious music-making here but the opening overture was a jolly fun piece by Roger Quilter who was best known for his many fine songs. 

Quilter strung together a dozen nursery tunes many of which are still well-known : Girls and Boys come out to Play, Sing a Song of Sixpence and Baa, Baa Black Sheep among others.  The orchestra clearly relished these fun and nostalgic tunes ending with a big sound for Oranges and Lemons. 

The main work was Max Bruch’s second Violin Concerto.  For many people this is the Max Bruch concerto and that clearly irked him. But it is so filled with lush tunes and exciting developments that this is not surprising. 

The soloist was Elise Griffin who is still at school and is studying for her A-levels.  There was nothing tentative about her playing which was strong almost to the point of forcefulness. 

She certainly gave a performance which showed that a lot of thought had gone into it as well as passion especially in the big tune in the slow movement. Her intonation was flawless and she handled the passages in double-stopping with remarkable ease. 

Under their guest conductor, Roger Swann, the orchestra achieved some ravishing sound especially in the transitions.  I’m thinking of the finale which both soloist and orchestra gave a lot of drive to.  What a wonderful concerto, beautifully played.

Schubert’s unfinished symphony is a bit of a misnomer as he started, but did not finish, at least five symphonies. Perhaps it was writer’s block or simply that he had turned his attention to composing something which he thought would generate more funds: songs or an opera perhaps.  This symphony has just two completed movements but they have a cogency and perfection which doesn’t leave you regretting the lack of the two final movements. The AVO played the first movement with more motion and less mystery than usual.  They handled the sudden outbursts superbly and took the music to a powerful conclusion.

The second movement captured the mystery and the contrasts of dynamics together with some searing harmonies made for a very convincing performance.  Schubert, who never heard it played, would have been smiling at the radiant chords at the end. 

The next AVO concert is on Sunday 22nd October.