Guy Noble's Great Tunes

Maestro and ever-popular conductor and host Guy Noble was in full flood for this performance, despite his flu, conducting his own choice of works as a final gesture to this farewell concert. After eighteen years at the helm of the Music on Sundays concerts, it was indeed a memorable occasion for all concerned, orchestra and audience alike, and befitting that he had the opportunity to bring to life a selection of his 'desert-island-discs' together with his family of musicians, the QSO. It takes time for an orchestra to reach international standard and reputation and Guy's contribution to this growth and success is immeasurable and will undoubtedly leave its mark for many years to come.

As only a small indication of his renowned and most capable wit, I quote from the program his brief, but hilarious, description of his selection of 'another Sunday buffet of musical delights: a trip to Spain, a plucky pig, two children lost in the forest, a swoop of swans and a thigh-slapping Romanian finale.' Also included was QSO's principal bassoonist, Nicole Tait, in an entertaining (glitter pants included) and impressive performance of Carl Maria von Weber's Andante & Hungarian Rondo. This is a work full of melodic soul and technical complexity (particularly the end section) and a superb choice to show-off the bassoon's versatility and unique timbre.

Engelbert Humperdinck's sublime Dream Pantomime from 'Hansel and Gretel' was a most satisfying and soothing opening to the concert in view of all the chaos created from a street march outside the concert hall, creating delays and general mayhem and an understandable sprinkling of late-comers. Once all were settled in, Nigel Westlake's adaptation of music for the movie 'Babe' was next on the menu, full of quirky orchestral idiosyncrasies and delightfully descriptive music no doubt suited to the action on the screen, successfully too since the movie sure brought home the bacon!

I'm a great fan of Spanish orchestral music so Chabrier's brilliant 'Espana' was indeed right up there amongst my favourites on the program. The concert also included an excerpt from Sibelius' 5th Symphony (the 'swoop of swans' as quoted above, which indeed painted the picture), a selection from renowned film composer James Horner and to finish the concert a rousing rendition of lesser-known Georges Enescu's Romanian Rhapsody in A, the 'thigh-slapping finale', as quoted above too.

The orchestra played with great deliberation, no doubt in admiration of Guy's musical knowledge and expertise and indelible impact on the growth of the arts in Queensland. Here's hoping his box of costumes are constantly maintained, ready to pounce .......

A 'Noble Guy' indeed, he will be sorely missed.

Brian Adamson