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"There is surely no finer orchestra of this size in Europe"

International Series : Cadogan Hall, London Camerata Ireland/Barry Douglas Review in Musical Opinion (Nov/Dec 2008)by Robert Matthew-Walker It was clear by the end of the programme given at Cadogan Hall on 10th October by Camerata Ireland directed by Barry Douglas that this orchestra was, on the one hand, made up from exceptionally gifted musicians and, on the other, was extremely fortunate to have him as a musical director. The programme began with a taught and impressive account of Beethoven's Coriolan Overture, very well played with a superbly right choice of tempi. If one could have wished for a rather more powerful statement of the music, it was none the less particularly stirring and touching by turns. Schumanns Piano Concerto followed, with Douglas directing from the keyboard – a decision that could well have proved unsuitable, but which on this occasion proved the exact opposite; once again, his choice of tempi was admirable, the quality of his playing, almost goes without saying, and the integration of soloist and orchestra was first class in every respect. After the interval Mendelssohns little B minor string Symphony was given a performance way above that which one would normally have expected, the second movement in particular being immaculately and most musically presented. Finally, Mozart’s Jupiter Symphony found the musicians maintaining the very high standard they had set themselves. This was a marvellous account, aided in no small measure by Barry Douglas conducting the programme throughout from memory. There is surely no finer orchestra of this size in Europe at present. Robert Matthew-Walker