April 1986 marked the Orchestra’s 20th year and a significant milestone in its history, as it made its début outside the British Isles, embarking on a landmark European tour to Holland, Germany and Austria. This was made possible through generous support from the British Council and Belfast City Council, who understood the importance of showing European audiences a very different picture of Northern Ireland from that which dominated television screens in the mid-eighties.
The tour was hugely ambitious, and saw the Orchestra perform six concerts in just one week. Taking in the cities of Utretcht, Heerlen, Rotterdam, Munich, and Linz, the jewel in the crown was undoubtedly a rare opportunity to perform in the iconic Golden Hall of Vienna’s Musikverein on 25th April 1986.
One of the finest concert halls in the world, combining neoclassical grandeur with unparalleled acoustics, the scene was set for a truly magical night. The Orchestra, conducted by Vernon ‘Tod’ Handley, was joined by celebrated young French pianist Bernard d’Ascoli (pictured below) for a programme featuring Walton’s Scapino Overture, Beethoven’s Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No.3 in C Minor, and Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5 in B Major.
Colin Stark, the Orchestra’s Principal Oboe and Cor Anglais looks back on the concert as a career highlight:
"This remains the most memorable concert of my time in UO. The hall is stunning acoustically and visually, its musical heritage awe-inspiring. I had the bonus of hearing the band not just from the stage but from the audience, as I wasn't playing in the concerto. Vernon Handley created a performance of technical precision, glorious sound and inspiring musical intelligence."
Bernard d’Ascoli remembers the concert fondly:
"Playing at the prestigious Musikverein in 1986 with the Ulster Orchestra was a great day for me as it was my very first time in this most musical of cities. We were all so excited and concentrated and as far as I remember it went really well. The four reviews we received were excellent which was a great satisfaction considering we were playing Beethoven's 3rd concerto precisely where it was first conceived."
The performance was highly acclaimed and warmly received by Viennese critics, who hailed d’Ascoli as the ‘greatest discovery in an evening rich in revelation’ and praised Tod Handley’s ability to bring out the very best in his orchestra, highlighting its ‘radiant brass, delicate soft singing woodwinds and the sound of the strings’ as ‘a real treat even for us Viennese, so spoiled by our own Philharmonic.’ High praise indeed.
Handley’s programme notes conveyed his great excitement and anticipation for the European tour, tempered with only one – characteristically generous – regret:
"How I wish I could take an audience from Northern Ireland around Europe with us so that they too could share in the success they have so very much helped us achieve."
On a memorable night in Vienna, the Orchestra reached a high point in its success to date, firmly establishing on the world stage.
Have you travelled to see us play? Near or far, share your memories with us.
Image credits: Ulster Orchestra Archive, Bernard d’Ascoli, Stratton Mills, Alf McCreary.
Not joined us before? Make your début with us this Friday as conductor and Music Director Laureate Daniele Rustioni returns to take the stage. Click here for tickets.