The major work in the Petersfield Orchestra’s concert at Petersfield Festival Hall on November 16 was Sibelius’s 1st Symphony.

It was something of a challenge, and the players acquitted themselves very well. The important melodies were stylishly pointed and brought out, especially in the last movement.

This concert opened with the Symphonic Suite from Lieutenant Kijé by Prokofiev. It took a little while for the orchestra to settle into this piece, with the ensemble at the start of a couple of movements slightly unsteady, but there was very fine solo playing.

This was followed by Suite No 1 from Tchaikowsky’s The Nutcracker. Neat playing in the overture was followed by characterful performances of the dance movements – the Dance Of The Sugar-Plum Fairy, the Trepak and the Arabian Dance.

This very enjoyable concert was conducted with clarity and firm control by Robin Browning.

Ian Schofield