Review: Ilkley Philharmonic Orchestra, All Saints Church

Violinist Andy Long

Geoffrey Mogridge was in the audience to review Ilkley Philharmonic Orchestra's 'Turkish Delight' concert at All Saints Church, Ilkley on Sunday 8th March 2026.

The orchestra’s spring concert brought exotic colour and eastern mystery to a capacity audience on an otherwise grey Ilkley afternoon.

Conductor John Anderson’s tempting bill of fare consisted of works by Rossini, Mozart and Rimsky- Korsakov. Rimsky was represented, not by the familiar and much loved Symphonic Poem, Scheherazade, but with a hidden gem - the last of his three symphonies - about which more later.

East meets west in Gioachino Rossini’s comic opera L’italiana in Algeria where the Italian girl, Isabella, is obliged to pit her wits against Mustafa, the Bey of Algiers. Rossini’s delectable overture allows all sections of the orchestra to shine, especially the Ilkley Philharmonic’s woodwind section.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed five concertos for violin and orchestra of which his last is the best known. Violin Concerto No 5 in A K219 is nicknamed ‘The Turkish’, on account of the rondo finale’s unexpected change from major to minor keys and its percussive repetition of short, but instantly memorable musical themes. Andy Long was the virtuoso soloist with the Ilkley Philharmonic conducted by John Anderson. Andy projected this concerto’s vitality and humour, plus a certain fiery energy in the celebrated ‘Turkish’ episode.

Following interval refreshments, an eagerly awaited performance of the alnost never performed Symphony No 3 in C Major by Rimsky-Korsakov. Tchaikovsky liked the piece but had some reservations: ‘This symphony’ he said, ‘is filled with a host of clever things but imbued with a dryly pedantic character.’

Since the entire audience - this reviewer included - were about to hear the symphony performed live for the very first time, John and his orchestra gave us some tasters of the lovely main themes. The complete performance ran for 35 minutes and faithfully realised this composer’s mastery of orchestration and his genius for characterful instrumental writing. This symphony is very ‘Russian sounding’ and clearly inspired by Rimsky’s folk-influenced melodic ideas.

The Ilkley audience responded with warmth and enthusiasm as John Anderson held aloft his conductor’s copy of the score.

Geoffrey Mogridge