Young Ambassadors Forum #4: Natalie Brayshaw

One of the Highlands' Young Ambassadors, Natalie Brayshaw, describes the 4th Young Ambassadors Forum and Vaughan Williams' 5th on Fri 4 April 2014, at Eden Court, Inverness.

Friday 4^th April saw the fourth of this season’s Young Ambassador forums, in Inverness. We met at Eden Court (in Inverness). This venue was particularly appropriate due to the fact that it was the final celebration week of the RSNO’s Highland Residency. Because to this, the forum took a slightly different format from the others: this time, it involved the Young Ambassadors preparing questions which three of us would later direct at two RSNO musicians in the pre-show talk. After having decided on some questions ranging from “What do you like about the Highlands?” to “Is the bassoon undergoing a revival?” and everything in between, we met the musicians: principal bassoon David Hubbard, and cellist Ruth Rowlands, who were more than happy to answer them. Both have been involved in the Highland Residency, and I recognised David from his involvement in the Highland Schools Wind Band, which I’m a member of.

After the talk, it was straight into another fantastic concert. It started with Neilsen’s stirring Helios overture, whose melody simply tells the story of a day – from sunrise to sunset. Though I’d heard the piece before, I’d never actually seen it performed, so it was a wonderful experience which really brought the music alive.

Next came Stravinsky’s Pulcinella Suite, which was fantastic: commencing with the warm and lively Sinfonta (Overture) before progressing through a number of equally interesting movements. I particularly enjoyed Gavotta because of the prominent wind section, and the humorous Vivo evoked a good reaction from the audience. I absolutely loved this piece.  

After a short interval, we returned for the famous Vaughn Williams’ Symphony No.5. The audience was captivated from start to finish, and the piece was a fantastic way to end ean already brilliant evening. I look forward to the next forum!

Natalie Brayshaw

Natalie is part of the RSNO's Young Ambassador scheme, arranged by the Learning and Engagement Department. All views expressed by Young Ambassadors belong to those of the individual and are not representative of the organisation. For more information, visit the RSNO website.

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