Reviews

What the critics say:

Songs form the shows Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, 2020

***** (5/5) 'for a scintillating evening of sparkling music'

'SPM under the baton of Jonathan Willcocks were in fine form and their obvious enjoyment of this heart-warming music was transmitted in bucket loads to the packed audience. In the Battle of Britain and 633 Squadron in particular the brass were let off the leash and their vivid and crisp playing gave a wonderful vibrancy to the orchestral sound, indeed the playing of the  brass section was first rate throughout the evening for me.

... it proved the perfect showcase for this very successful twinning of GSA and SPM, both at the top of the game for this hugely enjoyable concert.' 
Alexandra Medley

Music and Shakespeare, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre

'There was a delicious buzz of anticipation in the auditorium this evening – the sort of energy that only live entertainment can generate in a full theatre...both Brian (Blessed) and SPM gave this audience a shared experience they will never forget.'
Matt Pinches

Songs from the shows, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, 2019

***** (5/5)

'on sparkling form'

'Lead by Sophie Langdon, Southern Pro Musica were more than a match for the strikingly effective orchestration, the splendidly crisp brass section propelling the excitement. Leia's theme was performed with exquisite poise and there were fine solos from horn and flute in particular.

The tightness of the driving rhythms of Mission Impossible demonstrated how polished the playing of Jonathan  Willcock's forces was and The Dam Buster's March briefly gave us a patriotic glow.

SPM never missed a beat and I think it would be fair to say that the GSA chorus 'wowed' the audience. There was an encore with You're Never Walk Alone but I imagine that most of the audience left hoping there might be more.'
Alex medley

Great Classics, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford

‘A winning performance’

***** (5/5)

'Guildford audiences are growing accustomed to first rate orchestral playing when Southern Pro Musica is on the menu, and Sunday evening’s offerings at the Yvonne Arnaud didn’t disappoint as they delivered two beautifully crafted classical symphonies and a brace of virtuoso clarinet works.

Surely there are only a handful of orchestral works more familiar than Mozart's 40th, which makes it a brave choice as audiences always arrive with high expectations. But SPM brought a terrific freshness to the work and again Jonathan Willcocks's briskish speeds were well-judged while the orchestral balance was never anything other than excellent. This was a winning performance and more proof of how fortunate Guildford is to have such an excellent 'in house' professional orchestra.'
Alex Medley

New Year Celebration, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford

***** 5/5

'... a rousing performance of a spirited score: from the brass section‘s three knocks of fate through to the stirring conclusion, the orchestra never faltered. The response of the audience showed that there was no doubt as to the quality of the performance to come after this flying start to the evening.'
Helen Spilsbury

Musical Glories of France, Guildford Cathedral

'This was first rate music making of the highest calibre' 'on scintillating form'.

'We have come to expect orchestral playing of the highest standard from SPM and they didn't disappoint; from the very opening of Berlioz's deceptively complex overture 'Beatrice and Benedict', conducted by Jonathan Willcocks, they signalled that they were in fine form. There were some excellent woodwind solos in particular.'
Alex Medley

Mozart and Beethoven,  Yvonne Arnaud Theatre

Mozart - E flat major symphony: 'The opening Adagio with its wonderful dissonances, leading on to a triple-time Allegro, was beautifully managed by the orchestra. The Andante, full of dark references to the minor key, tore at the heartstrings in this performance.'

Beethoven 7^th

‘Excellent brass’ ‘a tour de force of virtuosity’
Shelagh Godwin

Mozart 'Jupiter' Symphony

'A performance of style with a true feeling of spontaneity.  The outer movements were full of vigour and dramatic contrasts.  The weighty tuttis contrasted well with the transparent treatment of the lightly scored passages.'
Ann Pinhey

'Cockaigne' Overture

'The unmistakeable Elgar sound was beautifully portrayed by the Southern Pro Musica in their superb performance of the overture.The musicians captured the bustle and panoply of London and created the rare power of the music with their vital and vigorous playing.'
Chichester Observer

Dvorák 'New World' Symphony

'Throughout the work, the immediacy of the instrumental colours was a reminder of the superiority of a live performance over a CD.  Bursts of timpani exploded in the introduction; the flute explored its warm low register in the tune so reminiscent of 'Swing low, sweet chariot'; cellos danced their counter-melodies in the last movement, and the cor anglais revelled in the theme of the Adagio, – a melody that has become almost the signature tune for the instrument. Equally impressive was the energy and ensemble of the full orchestra, as the outer movements built up in tone and tempo towards their powerful conclusions. Southern Pro Musica goes from strength to strength.'
Petersfield Post

Handel Messiah

'From the opening of the Overture, Southern Pro Musica showed precision and sensitivity with a lightness of playing that might normally be associated with performances on 'baroque' instruments, rather than their modern equivalents.'
Mark Hartt-Palmer

J S Bach St John Passion

'Southern Pro Musica is an orchestra of distinction - lively and accurate, producing a wonderfully bright sound.'
Portsmouth News

Tchaikovsky and Britten

'Played with great control and vigour, a first class evening of orchestral string playing to the highest standards. SPM deserves to win a strong local following from Guildford residents based on this performance.'
Guildford Dragon

Beethoven: Symphony 9

'The first three movements of the symphony gave the orchestra alone the chance to excel, but it was the final tempestuous and exciting choral movement where they matched and complemented the choirs exuberant singing. The wonderful 'Ode to Joy' with soloists, chorus and musicians could not have been bettered. The vitality and energy were exhilarating.'

Copland: Appalachian Spring

'There is a haunting evocation at the opening and a feeling of serene acceptance at the close with some excellent, beguiling flute solos from Jo Kidman and clarinet solos from Julian Farrell. The faster sections were full of rhythmic zest and the slower ones had an appealing breadth and warmth of humanity. The work includes five variations on the Shaker melody, Simple Gifts, which were full of colour, rich harmonies and glowing woodwind detail.' 

Telemann and Haydn

'The concert given on Saturday by Southern Pro Musica was devoted to music of the 18th century, a period when music was mainly homophonic with a melody above a chordal accompaniment. Textures were light and clear with frequent changes of mood and timbre. We had all these characteristics in the music of tonight’s concert. Telemann’s Overture in C, really a suite of 18th century dances ...exhilarating playing from the oboists, Malcolm Messiter and Andrew King, and the performance was full of character, with good, articulated phrasing and well-sprung rhythms.'

Haydn’s Symphony No.44 in E minor