Orchestra tour to Vienna, Austria - 2008

Elizabeth Atkinson - leader, Pamela Barr - second violinist and soprano, Joe West - cellist and cabaret organiser :

There was a real buzz in the air as we headed to the music capital of Europe.  It may have been the home of Beethoven and Mozart, but we weren’t about to be intimidated!  The next week would see us in some pretty prestigious venues, playing favourites from more Viennese big shots, such as the waltz from Mahler’s first symphony and Johann Strauss' Radetsky March. However, both orchestra and choir rose to the occasion, earning encores and - a first for a tour - autograph requests from one enthusiastic fan.  Concert highlights included Iain Jennison’s show-stopping renditions of movements 3 and 4 from Telemann’s Viola Concerto, and Mary Chapman’s expressive soprano solo 'The Lord is my Shepherd'.  Both soloists gave a particularly good performance in the Orangerie of the Schönbrunn Palace, unfazed by the fact that Mozart once did a few numbers there himself.

In fact it’s fair to say that we were living the high life on tour.  Daytrips included a cruise down the Danube, guided tours around Vienna and the mind-boggling Schönbrunn Palace, and another cruise through Seegrotte’s underground lakes.  We were serenaded by a gypsy fiddler and an accordion player over dinner, and enjoyed a wine tasting session with the mayor of Gumpoldskirchen before retiring to our hotel and its swimming pool.  One could get used to this sort of thing…

When we weren’t busy making music or touring palaces, Mozart-mania was freely indulged.  I came out of one ordinary-looking shop with Mozart chocolates, a Mozart key ring and a little porcelain Mozart of my own (I’ve grown quite fond of him actually).  The superior quality of souvenirs in Vienna can be judged from the fact that pencils have mini violins stuck on the end of them, painstakingly strung with wire strings.  Ms. Nolan, the Albemarle Quintet thanks you for this gift, and we will never forget our pencils in rehearsals again.

This was my last tour with the CHYSO, and I couldn’t think of a better way of ending it than with a final concert in the Schönbrunn Palace gardens before a trip to a theme park, with the cabaret in the evening (more on that below!).         

Prater Park was amazing.  From the moment we stepped off the coach we found ourselves racing from ride to ride with excitement.  The first rollercoaster we braved had us screaming manically, but we soon discovered this was a fairly tame ride compared to others, like the Boomerang (which does exactly what it says on the tin!).

For those of us who weren’t the thrill-seeking kind, many opted for the Prater Ferris wheel, made famous in the film The Third Man, which offered awesome views across Vienna.  Everyone loves a good fun house and even the 18+ year olds enjoyed themselves on the moving stairs and the twisty floors!  When we weren’t trying out the rides we were dancing to the tunes coming from the rides and eating corn on the cob.  Finally we all met up to return to the coaches – even though some of us were a little late!  All in all it was a fantastic trip and fun was had by all. 

This tour saw one on the most successful cabaret nights, featuring an extensive bill of many performances from all areas of the orchestra and choir.  While the main highlight was clearly the opening cello masterpiece ‘The Cow’ – an extraordinary duet composed and performed by two of the orchestra’s cellists – the audience was 'wowed' by performances crossing a diverse array of genres.  Items ranged from classical compositions, dancing, comedy duets, jazz acts, and acoustic solos to a rousing rendition of Flanders and Swan’s ‘The Hippopotamus Song’ (with one chorus in German) by orchestral veteran Ben Newton, and an impressive percussion ensemble piece which, after an encore performance due to a certain rowdy teacher, gave the joyous addition of the threat of police intervention - is it worth playing African Drums anything less than fortissimo?!  The neighbouring houses were not charged for this musical treat and let’s face it, it’s not a good night without the threat of police intervention.  All in all, a successful night enjoyed all-round!

Thanks must go to Mr. Maynard and all the staff for putting up with us, the Reckitt Trust for their financial support, and the Friends' Association for all the fund raising you do for our tours.  It wasn’t just the wind players that had a blast!

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