Beatles symphony has heart

All You Need Is Love
Dunedin Symphony Orchestra
Dunedin Town Hall
Saturday, March 11

Dunedin Town Hall was packed on Saturday evening when the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra, guest artists and conductor/arranger Tom Rainey, of Christchurch, poured heart and soul into interpreting the Beatles repertoire.

Like many in the audience I was transported back to teenage years when we (well some of us anyway) screamed and gyrated to the songs of the day as the Fab Four hit the top of the charts time after time. Some audience members recalled their 1964 Dunedin concert.

Beatles music has stood the test of time and Saturday’s audience of all ages endorsed this, quietly singing along, foot-tapping and mouthing lyrics which readily surfaced.

Success for this DSO concert was due to thirty orchestral arrangements and precise conducting provided by Rainey, along with experienced vocalist Luke Butson, and singers from University of Otago’s School of Performing Arts — Dominic Edmond, Emily Kerr-Bell, Finn Kite and Ella Ruddle.

Eleanor Rigby opened the programme, somewhat tentatively, but the following Love Me Do, A Hard Day’s Night, All My Loving, and Penny Lane drew top performing mode. Kerr-Bell also achieved good sound and resonance in several solos.

Graham Wardrop, of Christchurch, who began "in the business" in Dunedin in 1970, Finn Kite and Lloyd Williams added essential electric guitars, and Wardrop’s skill and virtuosity featured in their solo spots. Michael Grant excelled on keys throughout, particularly enhancing Kerr-Bell’s solo Imagine.

The enlarged percussion section certainly maintained the beat, and also featured in an unbelievably fast drum riff (Robert Craigie, Georgie Watts, Alex Burchell).

A double standing ovation climaxed the evening.

After audience singing along for the final Let It Be and Hey Jude , the soloists left the stage to tumultuous acclamation, then returned for a medley encore and more thunderous appreciation.

Thank you DSO and guests for a fantastic evening.