The Youth Music Centre delivered yet another stunning lunchtime concert with a varied & original programme at St Martins in the Fields, with highlights including a beautiful rendition of Mendelssohn’s String Sinfonia in D minor and a outstanding solo performance of “Spring” from the Four Seasons.

   YMC is a group of musicians and teachers working together to create a playful and relaxing atmosphere for young musicians to come together regardless of level, from children as young as 4 or 5 to the older teens that performed at St Martins in the Fields on Monday 19th of February. There is a real sense of community, with orchestras to cater to all abilities taught by a range of teachers to help young people develop and enhance their musical journey.

The Chamber Orchestra of YMC as directed by Nigel Goldberg performs at St Martins every year, in the February half term for a lunchtime concert. The lunchtime concerts at St Martins host a range of musicians from young orchestras such as this, or even professional soloists, professors of music, and even chamber music competitions. This year, the orchestra began with Mozart’s Overture from The Magic Flute, arranged for string orchestra. Although it was just four string instruments, the violin, viola, cello and double bass playing five parts, the atmosphere of the opening adagio captured the essence of the grandeur that would be heard in a whole symphony orchestra performance to accompany the opera. The fugal allegro was light and opened the concert in a refreshing energetic way, representing the youthfulness and energy of the orchestra.

   The concert was then continued with “Spring” from the Four Seasons - Vivaldi, hailing the introduction of milder weather to the UK, and bidding farewell to the frosty winter we experienced this year. Finally, to close the concert the YMC orchestra played the majestic & melancholy String Sinfonia in D Minor by Mendelssohn. After shouts & stampede from the audience for an Encore, the quick tempoed Czardas - Michael McLean was performed to great applause and cheer. The church was filled with regular supporters such as teachers, family and friends, but many strangers from the local area and the streets of London wandered in to find an outstanding performance for musicians so young. The concert was definitely a success, with donations for the upkeep of St Martins as a charity for the homeless being collected, and a performance & setting leaving an audience with joy & wonder. The YMC chamber orchestra hopes to return next year, with a programme of even more skill and splendeur!