Reviews

Sample comments from reviews over the decades ...

‘Debut of orchestra augurs well for future’
Headline from report of HSO’s 1st concert, July 1962 The County Press

‘HCO and Peter Craddock .... delighted me with a warmly human account of Haydn’s Symphony No 104.’
Denby Richards in the Hampstead and Highgate Express and News, May 1972

‘To remain in existence for two decades is something to be proud of, but to continue and build with adventurous programming is surely the key to success for another 20 years or more.’
J M, publication unknown, May 1985 (HCO’s 20th anniversary)

‘HSO’s pianissimo in the opening had their audience spellbound.‘
Angela Brown in The Southern Evening Echo, March 1987

‘Typical of the progressive approach of HSO is the way they encourage young talent - Barber’s Essay No 1 was conducted by Mark Wigglesworth ..... and very effectively too.’
Terry Barfoot in The News, March 1989

‘...HSO produced a delicacy and tenderness in .... Elgar’s cello concerto that would have made even the most jaded listener hear it with fresh ears.  15 year old Richard Harwood responded with impressive security of line and tone .....’
Mike Allen in The News, July 1995

‘She plays with a smile on her face and a smile in her heart and is among the region’s most under-celebrated artists ....’
Mike Allen in The News of Karen Kingsley with HCO, October 2006

‘The concert ended with Beethoven in one of his emphatic moods, the (HCO) players entering into the spirit of the 4th Symphony.’
Leon New in The News, February 2007

‘It is a rare pleasure to watch a conductor who shows both a detailed knowledge of, and a real enthusiasm for, the music.’
Colin Jagger, Director of Music, University of Portsmouth

‘I want to thank you and the orchestra for all the intensive and detailed work that went into producing the first performance of my father Maurice Blower’s Symphony in C.  I know how much care was taken in learning and refining the music, so it was particularly pleasing for me to hear all that hard work come to fruition ‘on the day’.  I know I am biased, but I thought the result was brilliant!’
Thomas Blower to Peter Craddock and HSO, March 2008