NEVER afraid to take on a challenge, Peebles Orchestra excelled itself in its Autumn Concert on Saturday evening.

In tackling Schubert’s 9th Symphony, known as ‘The Great C Major’ (or ‘The Great Sea Monster’ as some orchestral wags nickname it), our local orchestra was entering territory where once even the mighty Vienna Philharmonic feared to tread.

The Vienna players, presented with the work on its completion, considered it unplayable on account of its difficulty and length and so it wasn’t until 1839, 11 years after Schubert’s death, that it received its first performance, in Leipzig.

There was no such trepidation on the part of Peebles Orchestra as they embarked on the almost hour-long journey through this masterpiece under the masterful direction of their ever-adventurous conductor Kenneth McAllister.

And what a journey it was!

From the majestic opening on the horns to the final exultant climax from the full orchestra, the wide emotional range of Schubert’s glorious music was superbly realised. Of particular note were the highly effective building of tension in the first movement, the plaintive oboe melody at the start of the second and the woodwind’s rendition of Schubert’s deferential (or is it cheeky?) quotation from Beethoven’s 9th Symphony in the finale.

What will linger longest in the memory, though, is the thrilling sound the full orchestra makes in its new home at Kingsland School.

As well as being committed to presenting the greatest music from the ‘mainstream’ repertoire, Peebles Orchestra has an impressive record in unearthing rarities.

It also has a policy of providing its players with opportunities to take their place at the front of the orchestra in a solo role. So it was that, before the interval, we were treated to the little-known Romance for Viola by Max Bruch (he of the ever-popular Violin Concerto), in which the soloist was the orchestra’s Principal Viola, Judith Buttars.

This proved to be a delightful work which allowed us to enjoy the rich, soulful tone of the viola through a range of moods, from serene to agitated and back to a final calm. With sensitive accompaniment from orchestra and conductor, all of this was beautifully realised by Judith Buttars, reminding us once again just how much outstanding talent exists within the orchestra.

The concert had opened with a spirited account of Mozart’s ‘Magic Flute’ overture and just before the interval was an absolutely beguiling performance of Fauré’s famous ‘Pavane’, in which the sinuous flute melody was seductively unfolded over delicate pizzicato strings.

This wonderfully varied, and demanding, programme found all sections of the orchestra at their best, inspired, perhaps, by the recent, richly-deserved award of the MBE to Claire Garnett, the orchestra’s founder.

The whole evening began with a tribute to Claire from the orchestra’s Chair, Anne Valentine, which was met with a prolonged and heartfelt ovation from a large and very appreciative audience.

JPF