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Newent Orchestral
Society Heritage Concert
The orchestra presented a music heritage concert in May to a capacity audience at the Newent Memorial Hall in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the death of composer Rutland Boughton and the orchestra's 70th birthday. The concert programme included an animated film of extracts from Boughton's famous Celtic opera, "The Immortal Hour", introduced in person by the film's creator, Ralph Colmar. We were fortunate to have members of the Boughton family at the concert, which also included a short piece by the composer for strings, "Three Folk Dances". The orchestra played a new piece written by leader, Bill Anderton, "Telstar Revisited", as a tribute to local record produceer, Joe Meek. Joe's niece, Sandra, was in the audience. During the interval, audience members were able to see some of the recent exhibition material that has been on view in the town centre, promoting Newent's music heritage, including the history of Rutland Boughton, Joe Meek, the orchestra itself and the choral society. The orchestra played some pieces that were performed at its first concert in 1940, including the final two movements from Beethoven's First Symphony in C, which concluded the evening. A delicious 70th birthday cake was then devoured! Congratulations to all who took part in this memorable celebration. Acknowledgements: The Rutland Boughton
Music Trust; the Joe Meek Preservation Society; Forest of Dean District Council.
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