Classical concert review: Christmas Carnival

Published on Monday 13 December 2010 19:45

CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL USHER HALL, EDINBURGH ****

IT WAS terrific to see the Usher Hall packed with so many children waving light sticks in time to the music and a few even bringing their own jingle bells to add to the festive atmosphere of the Christmas Carnival, devised and presented by the bubbly duo Oliver Cox and Owen Gunnell. Over the years, their Children's Classic Concerts have perfected the mix of familiar favourites with lesser known but suitably thematic pieces – for instance the inspired use of Leroy Anderson's The Typewriter, expertly played by both presenters, to write a list for Santa.

Conductor Christian Kluxen and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra wisely maintained a brisk pace from the opening Trepak from Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker to Rossini's rousing William Tell Overture as the encore. The addition of dancers from Edinburgh's Manor School of Ballet for Skater's Waltz and the Waltz and Midnight from Prokofiev's Cinderella worked extremely well, even though the space available on stage was limited.

The children seemed to enjoy the audience participation bits best, such as the sing-alongs for We Wish you a Merry Christmas and The Twelve Days of Christmas, which featured Gunnell whizzing between assorted percussion instruments, one for each day. Even the adults were on their feet for the various actions for this and Pop Looks Bach, otherwise known as the theme to Ski Sunday. The experience of negotiating snow and ice over the last fortnight clearly informed many of the skiing positions.