A week of exciting orchestral events in Rotterdam was complemented for me on Saturday by playing in the Darwin Ensemble Chamber Orchestra (DECO) concert in Lichfield Cathedral. Figaro Overture and a delightful performance of the Mozart Flute and Harp concerto by Lisa Nelsen and Eleanor Turner was followed by the magnificent opportunity to play Beethoven 3 under Philip Scriven’s eloquent conducting. Having played in the orchestra over the last five years with regular players (including Alex Laing leading, Kelly McCusker, Ruth Woolley, Jane Salmon and David Burndrett leading the string sections and Luan Shaw, clarinet, Keith Rubach, bassoon, Mike Revell, horn as principal winds joined on Saturday by Joanna Kirkwood on first flute) it was a most enjoyable experience to play this great work. The first oboe part was made all the easier by working with Simon Dewhurst as second oboe.

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