Dorset Sinfonia with Sally Flann, Cello: Dvořák Cello Concerto in B minor op.104

April I - David Ansell conducted Dorset Sinfonia, St Mary's Church, Dorchester - Facebook link

It was the Dvořák Cello Concerto in B minor op.104 that made me decide to go to the concert; I had only seen the poster this morning. With Sibelius's Finlandia, Opus 26, and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Opus 64, this promised to be a wonderful evening, which it proved to be, especially as we got there early and found seats in the second row.

Congratulations all round.

All the members of the Weymouth-based amateur orchestra (augmented by additional musicians for the symphony) gave their hearts and souls to the music; it was mesmerising to watch the fingers of Sally Flann's left hand, as she played with extraordinary technique, intelligence, precision and passion, bringing the full power of  Dvořák's New York cello concerto to Dorchester.

I used to be a member of the Dvořák Society; this was a very special experience.

The Sibelius and Tchaikovsky works were equally stirring. Therapeutic.

Dorset Sinfonia deserves to be properly funded, and thanked.