February finale - Aurora Ensemble

The last day of February and (yet) another concert - ending the month on a high! The 28th February saw a concert by the Aurora Ensemble at Skipton Town Hall as the penultimate concert in the Skipton Music season. One of the top wind quintets in the UK, the Aurora Ensemble performed a varied and classy programme.

The pieces performed were all Classical or early 20th Century - with the exception of the Quintet by Klughardt, which is a rare Romantic piece for this set of instruments. I did find this piece hard, or at least harder than the rest - though the serenade and scherzo sections were very good. Piece of the evening went to Malcolm Arnold's Divertimento for Flute, Oboe and Clarinet Op. 37 - 6 brief movements but encompassing a wide range of styles and emotions. The rest of the programme - all very enjoyable - included Zemlinsky, Danzi and Briccaldi. The Ensemble indeed live up to their billing - a very elegant performance!

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