Tunnel Vision in the Park Tunnel, Nottingham: “A real treat for the senses” — music review
The performance was part of Nottingham Chamber Music Festival
Nottingham has plenty of excellent music venues – but on July 12, the Park Tunnel was transformed into a stage for Vivaldi’s Four Seasons for Tunnel Vision.
I was kindly invited to watch the performance, which was part of the Nottingham Chamber Music Festival (nottchamberfest.com). It was a unique experience, and enchanted me even as a non-classical music goer.
The festival was one of our top July events, and it was lovely to see its pièce de résistance. For more reviews and events, subscribe to The Notts Edit to receive our articles in your inbox for free.
Tunnel Vision in the Park Tunnel music review
Words and photos by Eve Smallman
‘It’s fitting that we’re playing Vivaldi’s Four Seasons outside,’ says cellist Tim Smedley – and I have to agree. Not only is this performance of it outside, but it’s in the gorgeous Grade II listed Park Tunnel. Not only does this lend itself beautifully to the aesthetic, but it has stunning acoustics, which are showcased throughout.
I will be honest – I’m not usually much of a classical music listener, but I was intrigued by the concept of the concert in a tunnel. And everyone knows the name of the Four Seasons, as did I walking into this. I thought I only knew Spring – but, as it turns out, much of it was recognisable throughout.
The pieces of music move through Vivaldi’s Italian seasons – which, as Tim points out, were written around 1718-23, and were much different from our four seasons now here in England. The book – split into twelve sections, three for each season – paints the picture of the joys of spring, the oppressive summer heat culminating in a storm, the autumn harvest and hunt, and the biting cold of winter followed by a warming fireplace.
As a non-classical music goer, I was pleased to have Tim explain each season before each section started, which gave me more context while listening. It was wonderful closing my eyes and feeling everything from the vibrations of the rain for summer to the delicate sharp icicles of winter.
My favourite part had to be Spring, as this was the piece I was most familiar with (and have secretly sort of thought about as wedding music). That being said, I shared familiar nods with my partner for the starts of Summer and Winter, as these are also pieces much of us will have heard through passing.
I did struggle to see when I was originally further back, despite the rolling incline of the tunnel – but I think the pay off of listening in such a setting was worth it. Even the occasional faint sound of cars didn’t put me off – in fact, they even married into the intensity of the music in a strangely wonderful way.
This was performed by Darragh Morgan, Sophie Rosa, and Jenny Sacha on violin, Rose Redgrave on the French viola (circa 1900), Tim Smedley on cello, and Petra Hajduchova on the harpsichord. Again, I’m not much of a classical music listener, but I thought hearing the Four Seasons played with such passion was wonderful. Throughout, I watched the expressions of the musicians and could see their smiles and their concentrated frowns when I perched near the front towards the end.
Tunnel Vision was part of Nottingham Chamber Music Festival, which brings classic musical artists to the city’s beautiful and historical spaces. Our music scene is so varied, and this was a unique example of just that.
This event sold out quite quickly, so if you’d like to go next year, be sure to sign up to the festival’s newsletter for more information on this and other events. It was a real treat for the senses, and something I won’t forget.
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