Worbey & Farrell Concerto without Orchestra, Assembly Rooms, Review

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Rating (out of 5)
4
Show info
Company
Worbey & Farrell
Production
Concerto without Orchestra
Performers
Steven Worbey (piano), Kevin Farrell (piano)
Running time
60mins

We had a fascinating romp around some very familiar classical music played on a Bosendorfer piano with the four hands of two very talented pianists. At times, we watched the keyboard from a screen placed above. And, of course, they crossed over one another, waited till the last possible moment at other times and gave us all sorts of well rehearsed tricks. But at the end of the day their musical talent was foremost, the comedy safe and lighthearted.

The highlight defied the title of the event. We saw on the screen the sixty or so players of the Edinburgh Symphony Orchestra in nearby Freemasons' Hall playing the three movements of a Worbey and Farrell concerto - with the pair joining in and playing the piano part in front of us.

For me the real excitement was their take on Charles-Marie Widor's Organ Toccata - a piece that normally needs a full organ - and played largely on the organ's foot pedals.

This turned out to be a gem of a concert for a late afternoon. Highly recommended.

Runs until 24th August (not 11th). From 1st to 10th its £12 (£10), thereafter £15 (£13).