CBSO Youth Orchestra Academy * * * *
CBSO Centre, Berkley Street
Review by Christopher Morley

And so yet another star is born in the CBSO firmament. The latest addition to the constellation is the CBSO Youth Orchestra Academy - wish the name weren't such an unwieldy mouthful - giving its inaugural concert on Saturday, after a week's intensive coaching from seasoned CBSO  professionals.

It's a pity this tuition of these skilled young players from the ranks of the now well-established youth orchestra didn't extend to the ultimate finesse of platform presentation - the knack of smiling after a concert, particularly necessary here  when so many attractive young faces remained almost scowlingly deadpan at the end of an evening when rapture was really the only natural response.

The concert showcased chamber-groups (another CBSO youth first) as well as the entire ensemble, beginning with William Mathias' Summer Dances for Brass Quintet. Directorless, the youngsters gave a deftly-turned,  beautifullybalanced account of this attractive score.

Also directorless, a wind quintet was fleet and sympathetic in Hindemith's sterile Kleine Kammermusik. These enthusiastic young players might have had more musical rewards from tackling Schoenberg's near-contemporaneous quintet.

Strings and fabulously adept percussion were conducted by CBSO assistant conductor Michael Seal (how he has grown in stature and confidence since his appointment) in Shchedrin's adroit, witty and always tender reworking of Bizet in his Carmen Suite, Seal's pacing dramatic and assured, orchestral playing generous and skilful.

Finally, every element in this jaw-droppingly brilliant group came together for Beethoven's Symphony no 4, lively, alert, bursting with energy, and, again, judiciously  balanced under Seal's magisterial direction.

The closest Beethoven ever got to a clarinet concerto, the soli for that instrument were beautifully conveyed by Ella Morgan, but everyone else  deserves credit for this heartwarming account of an under-rated symphony.