Classical review: Scottish Chamber Orchestra: Big Ears, Little Ears

AIMED at babies under 18 months and their parents and carers, this venture has all the right intentions. Give adults whose free time has been eaten up by a bundle of joy a chance to enjoy some grown-up entertainment, and introduce little ones to the wonders of live music.

SCOTTISH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA: BIG EARS, LITTLE EARS

QUEEN’S HALL, EDINBURGH

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To a degree, that aim is achieved. The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed – should your young charge feel the need to “join in”, as they put it, that’s fine. Equally acceptable is walking in and out of the auditorium if the crying proves too stressful for those doing the placating. Meanwhile, one of the finest chamber orchestras in the world does a grand job with a programme of Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Prokofiev and Bartók, mixed with some rather lovely Burns songs.

At first, it all went swimmingly. Each time the orchestra sprang into life, a discernible calm settled over the room. The beauty and drama of Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture and the excitement of Bartók’s Romanian Dances grabbed the attention of almost everyone.

Just past the halfway point, however, the cry factor started to increase – which inevitably meant the grown-ups were enjoying it less, too. Scheduled to last 45 minutes, but running closer to an hour, the concert was just too long for tiny ears. Mezzo soprano Karen Cargill battled to be heard, and the need for a visual stimulus (other than the orchestra itself) became apparent. Still, at the pilot stage, Big Ears, Little Ears has lots to offer, but it needs a few tweaks if it is to succeed.

KELLY APTER