I was priveleged to attend another concert last Sunday by this orchestra (of which my daughter has been a member for 12 years), once again a super performance of Saint Saens , and Tchaikowsky 5th. But the highlight to me was the work commissioned by them , (a World Premiere) orchestration of four (two from Op23 and two from Op32) of Rachmaninovs Piano Preludes by young local composer Daniel Basford (Trained at RNCM and Britten Pears school). I was sceptical at first just how well such an arrangement would work, particularly in the very pianistic , and well known G Minor 'Alla Marcia'. But I have to say I need not have feared, the orchestration was handled with considerable skill, and for me that G Minor was the highlight, how did he think of starting the main theme on timps !
I look forward to hearing more of his work. Maybe some of you already know of him.
Sadly they are to lose their conductor Gerry Cornelius after the next (May) concert (Mendelssohn Violin Conc, by leader of the NYO. Also Sibelius '2') He has done a great job with this mainly amateur orchestra , and will be sadly missed. The replacement , for whom they are searching has a hard act to follow.
A further problem is that Hertford Council do not seem to want them in the Castle Hall (now renamed Hertford Theatre) anymore . Of the various dates proposed for next season, they have been only granted the Childrens Concert date. Apparently they do not want 'specialist' events in there. !!
There is no other venue large enough in Hertford, so how can they remain as the Hertford S.O. ??
The nearest viable place is the Drill Hall in Ware, where they have done occasional concerts.
What a short sighted attitude, and a terrible snub to this wonderful band of players.

Letters to East Hertfordshire district council, I think... How short-sighted...

Have heard of Basford : he is indeed beginning to make a name for himself

Further to my earlier post re March concert and rant, I was priveleged to attend another concert on Saturday which will likely be their last 'Symphony' concert in Hertford for reasons already explained (though they will be allowed a date for their Childrens Concert at the Hertford Theatre). It was also their final concert under the baton of Gerry Cornelius, who has done a great job with them since 1999 (also about the same time as my daughter joined).
After a bright an breezy opening of a short movement from Shostakovich's light opera 'Cheryomushki', we had an amazingly mature performance of Mendelssohns Violin Concerto, played by the leader of the NYO, 19 yr old scot Michael Foyle. This was in fact the first time he has played it with an orchestra in public. It was a triumph for him, and thoroughly enjoyed by all present. Maybe he played it a little less romantically than some famous violinists before him (eg he used very little portamento) , but surely he is a star in the making.
The second half was my favourite Sibelius Symphony (no 2), though I know many people prefer no 5. Again Gerry was able extract the best from the players (The orchestra is largely amateur with a few pros in Principal roles) . The brass section excelled itself in particular, the woodwind always reliable, and a special mention for the Double Basses, who have some prominent work in this symphony. What a great 'tune' in the last movement, and a wonderful moment when on the last page, Sibelius adds the fourth note to the rising three note motive on which the Symphony is based.

We wait to hear of next 2011-2012 season. They do have an alternative venue in Ware, but can they still be Hertford SO ??. I understand a conductor has been lined up for the next rehearsal, but Im not sure whether he is likely to be their regular one for the future.

Ware's in the same county, so I don't see why not!

Hope the orchestra manages to go from strength to strength

Yes but its not the Hertfordshire S O , its the Hertford S O.
I suppose they would solve the problem by changing name to Hertfordshire S O if they move to Ware.

There are several groups round here that don't practice in the town they're named after.