News and Reviews

News: Ibstock Concert Staves Off Winter Blues
26 Sept 2010

Sinfonia Viva will perform for the first time at The Palace in Ibstock on Saturday October 16 and, as orchestra Leader Benedict Holland explains, the programme of popular string classics has been created to help the audience stave off the winter blues.

Benedict, who will conduct the Orchestra from the violin, explained: "We are very much looking forward to appearing at The Palace in Ibstock for the first time and have developed a programme full of famous pieces that are vibrant and energetic to put a spring in everyone's step. I personally love this time of year on the cusp of Autumn but the downside is the dark evenings and our aim is to cheer everyone up with beautiful strong extravaganza."

The Ibstock programme includes Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No.3 for strings alone and Pachelbel's Canon and Gigue, part of his beautiful G major Partita for Strings, which has become one of the composer's most loved pieces. Handel's Concerto Grosso No.7 is one of a dozen he composed which collectively have been described as 'the highest manifestation of Handel's compositional skills'; and Mozart's Divertimento K136's involving and warmly resonant themes have a youthful nature, and the piece displays a lively energy.

The programme finishes with Vivaldi's The Four Seasons - a gorgeous reflection of nature's cycle.

Benedict concluded: "I love directing the Orchestra from the violin as it gives us the opportunity to engage more with the audience and to talk to everyone about the piece, some of the background and what to listen out for. The pieces we will be playing are jubilant and a celebration of the finest in classical music which is extremely appropriate considering everything that this local community has achieved in bringing The Palace back to life."

Ticket sales for the concert – the first at the venue by a professional orchestra - will help The Palace community centre organisers drive forward their plans to extend the rescued local facility. The committee saved the building from dereliction four years ago and have since run it voluntarily for the local community. And, as Brian Hall from the Palace explained, they are hoping for a good turnout which will contribute to the £100,000 cost of a new extension to the community centre. The proposed new extension will enable the Palace to widen its field of activities which in turn will help with its future sustainability.

"We are all very excited about the concert which will give local people the chance to enjoy top quality classical music on the doorstep rather than having to travel into one of the big cities. We are extremely grateful to Viva for their support and also to North West Leicestershire District Council, Orchestras Live and Arts Council England who have helped make this dream possible."

The Palace was originally built as a cinema in 1912 and later became a bingo hall before falling into disrepair. It was bought by Ibstock Parish Council and leased on a 60 year lease to the present committee who have restored it to its former glory – still retaining many of its original architectural features. Run by a committee of volunteers, The Palace now hosts a wide range of concerts, theatre performances and cinema screenings as well as local community groups and activities from keep fit to playgroups. The Palace is also available for private and commercial hire.

Tickets for the Sinfonia Viva concert at The Palace in High Street, Ibstock are £15 and are available from Halls of Ibstock or on 01530 260460 during shop hours.

Media enquiries: Sarah Jenkin-Jones - Tel: 01332 515102/07951 945 665 sarah@jjpublicrelations.co.uk