Teesside Symphony Orchestra & James Chen, Stokesley Methodist Church

THIS concert was something of a phenomenon in that it was a sell-out and featured possibly one of the youngest performers within living memory.

The atmosphere fairly buzzed, such was the interest in 12-year-old James Chen who has already sent standards soaring, being one of the youngest people in the world to gain a Dip.ABRSM with distinction.

He studied piano with Barbara White of Middlesbrough and has been studying at Chethams School of Music in Manchester for only two years before taking the concert stage by storm.

Conductor Christopher Haigh welcomed the capacity audience including representatives of the Ropner Trust, sponsors of the hugely talented young pianist, and other guests, among them leaders of Stockton Council, to this evening of music themed on Shakespeare, 400 Years.

The programme featured Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream Overture, Mummenschantz from Much Ado About Nothing by Erich Wolfgang Korngold and Two Pieces from Henry V by Walton.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream opened with fine work by the strings summoning up the flight of the gossamer-winged creatures, contrasting with the effect of the donkey braying.

This is a magical piece which reflects the spirit and fun of the play, and the orchestra did it full justice, responding to Haigh’s graceful and precise conducting style.

The centre of interest was the debut performance of James Chen with a full orchestra. Clearly we were in the presence of a prodigy, and this performance may well be one to tell our grandchildren about.

With not a page of music in sight, he launched into Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 17 in G Major with composure, confidence and style. His whole presentation was flawless and one feels he has a great future ahead.

The second half opened with Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s Mummenschantz, inspired by the mummery sequence in Much Ado about Nothing, This is a delightful piece, with a wonderful woodwind opening but was tantalisingly brief, leaving us longing for more.

Another tribute to the Bard, Walton’s Two Pieces from Henry V, Passacaglia: Death of Falstaff and Touch her soft lips and part – two beautiful pieces beautifully performed and again, all too brief.

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2 in D Minor Op. 36 brought the evening to a close in typically powerful Beethoven style – rhythmic, woven through with lovely melodies and the orchestra spoke to that power magnificently. This was an evening of music to remember.

The next concert in Stokesley Methodist Church is by Cleveland Chamber Orchestra on May 22 at 3pm.

Irene MacDonald.