Review: Vivaldi's Four Seasons by Candlelight, Trinity College Chapel, University of Cambridge

Music in Action, a charity that seeks to “enrich and transform lives and communities through music”, brought internationally renowned violinist Harriet Mackenzie to Trinity College Chapel on Friday (28 March) to perform Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, along with the 10-piece English Chamber Orchestra.

The charity’s charismatic chairman, James Mews, gave a few words at the start of the evening, revealing that this concert marked the first time Music in Action had staged a concert in Cambridge, and revealed that they will be returning to Trinity College Chapel - to perform Vivaldi’s La Stravaganza - in September.

Though billed as ‘Vivaldi's Four Seasons by Candlelight’, the first half of the concert consisted of an interesting and varied programme, that began with Mozart’s Divertimento in F. This was a wonderfully lively piece, and I think I enjoyed the jaunty third movement the most.

The likeable Harriet Mackenzie addressed the audience and noted that tonight would be the premiere of a tango concerto written especially for her by Argentinian composer, Ariel Pirotti. It was an enjoyable piece and certainly contrasted with the rest of the programme.

The first half also consisted of American composer Amy Beach’s Romance for violin and orchestra and Bach’s Concerto in A minor for violin and orchestra. Both were superbly played - and it was a delight to watch Harriet get lost in the music and play with real feeling.

If I had to choose a favourite piece from the first half, I think it would be Mozart’s, just for its sheer majesty.

James Mews once again spoke ahead of the second half, bounding up the stairs with real enthusiasm. He introduced the orchestra and then came Harriet, this time wearing a different outfit.

This time, Harriet spoke before each ‘season’ of Vivaldi’s best-known work, reading the accompanying poem.

Up first was the instantly familiar first movement, Spring, its glorious melody filling the space. It was a joy to hear and to watch the interplay between these extremely talented musicians.

Harriet and the orchestra made their way through each of the seasons, culminating with the magnificent Winter - which I think I actually preferred to the arguably more well-known Spring.

Much of the audience then rose to their feet to give these outstanding musicians a deserved standing ovation. I certainly hope to be able to attend Music in Action’s next concert at the chapel in September.

For more on Music in Action, and the work it does, go to musicjersey.com. For more on Harriet Mackenzie, visit harrietmackenzie.com.