Concert: The Four Seasons and The Lark Ascending by Candlelight

Adrian Clark is enthralled by an evening of classical music at Exeter Cathedral

London Concertante returned to Exeter Cathedral as part of their sell-out Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and The Lark Ascending by Candlelight concert series. One of the UK’s most renowned ensembles, London Concertante has been bringing outstanding quality classical music to audiences across the country for more than three decades, creating unforgettable experiences for classical music connoisseurs and newcomers alike. If you don’t consider yourself in the know about classical music, don’t worry – the ensemble can boast the impressive statistic that almost half of their audiences are first-time classical concert goers such as myself. And like me, you may learn that you recognise some of the music, even if you don’t know the composer or the title.

The concert opened with Mozart's Marriage of Figaro overture; an ideal choice to set the tone for the evening, with the orchestra leaping straight into the piece at a lively tempo, showcasing all the distinctive elements that have helped to make this piece of music so celebrated. I was eager to see what the talented ensemble would do next, and I was thoroughly impressed by how effortlessly they transitioned from delicate passages to more dynamic pieces, showcasing their versatility throughout the programme of Baroque music.

London Concertante by candlelight at Exeter Cathedral. Photo by Adrian Clark

Next up, The Lark Ascending by Vaughan Williams was introduced with an informative background. Completed around 1914, this piece has become an endless favourite amongst classical music fans, regularly achieving a high ranking in polls by radio stations such as Classic FM. It’s easy to see why so many people were looking forward to hearing it; with its intricate details and soaring crescendos, it really is a wonderful piece of music, and played exquisitely by the ensemble, earning them a standing ovation by many members of the audience. After a short interval and some other pieces by well-known composers such as Bach, it was time for the top of the bill: Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons

Vivaldi’s most famous work, The Four Seasons takes you through the journey from Spring to Winter, with each season having its own distinctive sound and varying tempo to capture the spirit of each time of year. As noted during the introduction, The Four Seasons has been used many times in popular culture, from TV commercials to customer service hold music. Thankfully, tonight's performance was far more enjoyable, and like many others in the audience, I enjoyed trying to identify the highlights of each season and listening for the changes in pace that signalled movement through each.

The evening at the Cathedral was truly special; not only was the musicianship of high quality, but the stunning surroundings enhanced the experience, making it an unforgettable night for everyone who attended. The night finished with a classic closing piece – Monti’s fantastically energetic Csárdás – which saw the violinist circulating amongst the audience, who were up out of their seats. A wonderful end to a great evening. With the announcement that London Concertante be returning in September, I have a feeling they’ve acquired some new fans after tonight, myself included.