Comments after the concert at The Great Hall, King's College School,
on Saturday 10th April 2010

Saturday’s concert was absolutely stunning. The Marryat Players played with such verve, enthusiasm, passion and skill. The whole concert was an utter delight. I think everyone was entranced, especially by the Breton Concerto and the Mozart was absolutely perfect. What wonderful playing by Sulki Yu! A triumph of a concert.

It was truly another unforgettable evening for players and audience.

A fabulous concert on Saturday…. It was a truly excellent event and I thought the orchestra was superb; they played with such verve and commitment!

A truly splendid concert last night. The players are branching into ever more adventurous repertoire and are to be applauded for the zest and imagination which they brought to the exciting 20th century repertoire of Tippett and Elliott Carter. It seems entirely in keeping with the youthful spirit of the Marryat Players to perform such an interesting and beautiful piece as the Andrew Wilson concerto. Bravo to all four soloists! And what a truly grand finale was the Mozart! The violin and viola soloists brought breathtaking beauty of expression to this glorious work. Once again we felt we were seeing a solo star of the future.

What a wonderful evening at the Marryat Players on Saturday, flawless playing and the best programme yet!

Yet another lovely concert on Saturday. The players are amazing the way they got the hang of such modern sounds with such ease. We enjoyed Andrew Wilson’s concerto very much and adored the Mozart.

A really terrific evening last night. I thought it was the best Marryat Players concert I have been to.

The Breton Concerto by Andrew Wilson was a highlight for me and Tim Bolton did a fantastic job getting the most out of the piece and the orchestra! I thought the whole production was absolutely brilliant - an exciting and challenging opportunity for excellent young players. The venue, the printed programme, the website, the network of Friends, the choice of repertoire, the talented and inspiring soloists, coaches, conductor…

Congratulations on another really fantastic concert on Saturday. I loved the varied programme and was particularly taken by the Breton folk tunes arrangement.

Congratulations to all concerned on yet another brilliant concert last night.

We thoroughly enjoyed yesterday – a perfect evening, a truly wonderful occasion.

Another triumph! A very challenging programme which was dealt with with aplomb and style. Particularly liked the Wilson.

Congratulations again on last night’s concert –a truly lovely event which seemed to be so much enjoyed by everyone I spoke to.

We very much enjoyed the Marryat Players concert on Saturday. We think it is a splendid venture and would like to support it by becoming Friends.

Yet another wonderful evening with the Marryat Players. It was brilliant.

Our guests were enchanted by the evening and are going to become Friends – I knew they would! I did not tell them too much about it as I wanted it to be a wonderful surprise, which indeed it was for us when we first came along to a concert all those years ago.

Another wonderful concert and delightful social gathering.

It is hard to believe that Marryat Players have been in existence for almost ten years. What a stupendous achievement! Saturday’s performance was yet another extraordinarily mature and inspired example of Marryat Players music making. It was a most interesting, exciting programme and a huge pleasure for all of us once again.

Thank you for a superb concert.

The climax of the week never fails to delight and impress. The youngsters’ concentration and response to Tim Boulton’s sympathetic conducting was once again uplifting. The Mozart was of course a joy to listen to with such accomplished and likeable soloists…but the modern pieces, too, came across just as, if not more, exciting and accessible. Long may the Marryat Players continue to flourish.

The concert was a great success, culminating in a splendid performance of Mozart’s wonderful Sinfonia Concertante. Sulki Yu is a real find!

A great concert yet again this Easter. I can't believe how well the players perform in this environment. They all seem to pull out all the stops.

So much enjoyed last night’s concert!

The standard was truly impressive. It is such a terrific opportunity for young people to be involved in something so exciting and professional. What joy it brings to so many!

One of the most truly memorable musical occasions I can remember for a long time.

Comments after the concert at The Great Hall, King's College School,
on Friday 23rd October 2009

 

What a marvellous concert last night. I thought Timothy Murray’s Elegy was absolutely beautiful, with such a range of mood and feelings, combined with absolutely brilliant virtuoso playing by Piers Lane. And the orchestra gave such a professional performance of both the Murray and the Tchaikovsky. What a very good conductor Robert Max is and he has such a good rapport with the young orchestra.

Congratulations – superlative concert.

Just wanted to say it was brilliant last Friday. That was a hot orchestra playing. Great adventure, great style - duende - I can’t think of many other bands pulling off the Tchaikovsky – whatever their age – with that much heart and truth and precision. Hats off, Max! Hats off all!! Just beautiful.

It was truly amazing, such a fine performance.

Yet another Marryat Players triumph. The enthusiastic reception given to each of the pieces told its own tale. We were astonished how well the orchestra not only coped with but apparently also enjoyed the challenging range of mood and tempo. First it was a privilege to listen to Piers Lane’s riveting performance, but then how we admired the fullness of sound, the empathy and verve with which the players responded to Robert Max’s expressive and encouraging conducting. It really was an extraordinarily uplifting and delightful evening.

Yet another resounding success.

The concert was really superb, just beautifully played. It was an honour to hear the tribute to Professor Solomon and to be introduced to contemporary composers like Timothy Murray. The Souvenir de Florence breathtakingly beautiful with such intense playing by the entire ensemble.

The entire evening was extremely enjoyable…an inspiration to all.

Another wonderful concert and what a triumph! It was amazing to be hearing the first performance of Elegy with Piers Lane and the Tchaikovsky was played with such spirit and assurance; we enjoyed both pieces enormously. Congratulations on bringing about such inspiring and happy occasions. Long may they continue!

Wonderful concert! So brilliantly performed, such talent. Always joyous and instructive! Many thanks.

I felt I must just say how particularly stunning last night’s concert was – there was something very special about it and I found it quite amazing how Robert Max generated all those young people into giving such a vital and fantastic performance. I was so glad to be able to be there. Congratulations to everyone for the very hard work it must have entailed.
Congratulations on yet another marvellous evening.

The music was amazing and we had a lovely time!

Yet again a marvellous concert by the Marryat Players. The Tchaikovsky is a splendid piece and a very demanding one for such young players. As always it was a memorable evening. We are full of admiration and are looking forward very much to the next concert.

Another marvellous evening listening to the Marryat Players. To say they go from strength to strength is a bit of an understatement…how much we admire them all, they are so impressive. I can’t wait for the next one.

A fantastic concert performance.

Another wonderful concert on Friday evening. We do not know how the musicians manage to produce such marvellous music with so little time to rehearse.

Congratulations on another splendid concert last night.

A splendid evening and an amazing programme for a ‘young persons orchestra’ which they performed incredibly well. I hope there will be a good recording available as I would love to hear it all again and especially the new composition. I never cease to be amazed at the talent of these young people who seem to be getting younger each time I visit.

We enjoyed it immensely. The concert was beautiful – truly inspiring. I can’t tell you how much it touches me.

A memorable evening…we were completely bowled over.

Another triumph for the Marryats! New and exciting challenges were met with great success last night. We were deeply moved and impressed by Elegy and hope that we may have the opportunity to hear more of Timothy Murray’s writing in the future. What a marvellous opportunity for the players to have the experience of this composition and of Piers Lane’s formidable talent. The Tchaikovsky was splendid – one felt as though one were listening to a full symphony orchestra, there was such depth and richness of sound. The young players responded magnificently to all the lyrical and expressive challenges of this beautiful work, under the brilliant direction of Robert Max.

I think the concert was one of the best. So much energy!

Another superb evening. Just as splendid as some of the other memorable Marryat Players concerts. We particularly loved the Tchaikovsky.

We so much enjoyed the wonderful concert on Friday. It was a lovely evening.

 

Comments after the concert at The Great Hall, King's College School,
on Sunday 19th July 2009

 

Thank you for an astounding evening. At the point where you run out of superlatives, something happens that opens a new window on the performance. Listening last night I realised that the Marryat Players now have their own very recognisable sound. Fresh, exciting, gripping, tremendous attack and cohesion, an exemplary string orchestra by any standards. Take it on tour abroad and it would redefine the description of youth orchestra. The Haydn concerto put other performances in the shade. Totally seamless and heartfelt. I continue to be astonished by the Players’ ability in a conductor-less mode. I think they are very fortunate to have Sandy and Max to guide them.

The concert was absolutely marvellous. The orchestra played with togetherness and sheer vibrancy, always full of energy with obvious musical enjoyment from the players. A real treat to witness.

Congratulations on yet another brilliant concert! The young players go from strength to strength and with such top quality soloists as Alexander Baillie and Johanna Vargas Iregui. I talked to her briefly at the drinks party and told her I was sorry not to have been in the front row when she serenaded some of the other old men. She said, very politely, ‘next time’.

I tremendously enjoyed yesterday’s Marryat Players concert. I was captivated from the very start of the Eine kleine Nachtmusik, through the lovely Haydn cello concerto (the infectious communication from Sandy Baillie bringing smiles from Colin Alexander), right to the very end of Johanna Vargas’ wonderful songs; a beautiful voice and very charismatic. Your musicians play with such confidence. Thank you so much for another very happy evening in the company of the Marryat Players.

The concert was superb. The Mozart was tackled with such maturity and finesse and one could tell that all the details of the piece had been studied, enjoyed and mastered. It was a treat to have not one but two soloists! The Haydn played with such warmth and energy by Alexander Baillie with all the subtlety of the slow movement and its beautiful phrasing. Johanna proved an exotic and colourful soprano who worked brilliantly with the orchestra. Their enjoyment was palpable!

Another triumph! The concert on Sunday was hugely enjoyed by all and I adored and admired the gifted Johanna.

Loved the performance! And there’s always a surprise in store for us – the singing was a delight.

Many congratulations on another very fine Marryat Players concert last night – a very happy programme and most enjoyable.

Bravo! Well done for a fantastic concert…how exciting it was!

The concert was superb and what a wonderful Carmen!

Another wonderful evening listening to the Marryat Players…. It’s amazing how they all come together and play so well. We loved watching and listening to Johanna. Let’s hope she has a long and successful career ahead of her. I imagine every man at the concert wished they were sitting in the front row last night. Also Alexander Baillie’s cello performance was a joy to listen to.

Yet another excellent concert last night – your orchestra goes from strength to strength. I wonder if you could get them to perform in somewhere like the QE Hall – they are certainly professional enough as you must know. Thank you so much for allowing us all to have the opportunity to hear them.

What a fabulous treat on Sunday! Many congratulations and thanks again.

It really was wonderful last night. The music gave so much pleasure to so many people.

A very special ‘summer’ programme. Truly inspiring and just lots of fun.

Yet another memorable concert. It was lovely to have a singer and we thought the Haydn was particularly good. The orchestra has developed a very particular and distinctive sound now - a lovely sweet tone and their attack was so impressive.

Once again, a lovely evening to which one always looks forward because we ‘know’ the Marryat Players and the delightful atmosphere … and yet one is each time happily surprised.

I came to the concert on Sunday evening and thought it was wonderful.

Terrific concert and as no doubt everyone says, Johanna Vargas should go far.

What an amazing evening. Having been told about the Marryat Players I was so glad to hear them for myself.

A memorable occasion!

I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed last night’s concert. I thought it was one of the best the Marryat Players has done – the playing gets more and more confident and proficient every time but the atmosphere is what makes it so special.

 

 

Comments after the concert at The Great Hall, King's College School,
on Sunday 19th April 2009

Last week’s concert was one of the very best. It was an excellent programme. The Mozart burst into action with such energy…it continued to be a very controlled performance and was really thrilling. Richard Smith was mesmerising, especially the ending which was quite beautiful. Snowscape worked so well, the players really focussed on the mood…The Nielsen is just a great piece, played to perfection and conducted with fantastic expertise. What a show! The musical emotion just came through exactly as it should.

As always the Marryat Players were amazing. They never cease to amaze me with their high standards and innovative music.

The Marryat Players concert yesterday was superb. The Mozart was so thrilling, The Lark Ascending was ecstatic, Snowscape was magically intense and the Nielsen Suite was an utter delight. I don’t think we’ve ever heard such a high standard of playing from the Marryat, as one was never aware that one was listening to a youth orchestra.
Tim Boulton certainly brought out the best in every player.

I am writing to say how very much we enjoyed last night’s concert. Tim Boulton’s debut as a Marryat conductor was a great success – the audience could sense the lovely rapport he had built up with the players and how sensitively they responded
to his direction.

Thank you for another excellent concert…the players coped expertly with a remarkably wide range of different types of music. But we both particularly enjoyed The Lark Ascending with Richard Smith playing so brilliantly.

…last night’s superb concert – one of the best, though I know we always say so! Everything went so smoothly and I thought it was a very well-balanced and varied programme. Tim Boulton was excellent.

The orchestra rose magnificently to the challenge of the Mozart and we enjoyed in particular the rich tones and polished technique of the cellos and basses… …Richard Smith’s tone and expressive musicianship were outstanding in The Lark Ascending and we were spellbound by this lovely piece… Snowscape was a wonderful piece of contemporary writing …The Little Suite brought a great finale to the evening as it displayed so many moods and textures – a real showcase for the orchestra.

A wonderful concert…it was a real privilege to witness. We loved the music and the atmosphere, such lovely pieces and so well performed. I could really believe that these days of hard work and fun could make such a big difference to these
children’s lives.

It was the most delightful concert – so enjoyable.

I was staggered at the high quality of the concert and the privilege of sitting so close to a well conducted and truly musical orchestra.

We enjoyed the concert enormously – such an interesting and varied programme…thank you for including us in such
a magical evening.

Wow! What an incredibly special evening we were all lucky enough to enjoy on the 19th April. The Marryat Players were on tiptop form and we loved every minute of the concert. It is not often Mozart is put in the shade, but the amazing, and one of my all time top classical 10, Vaughan Williams, was so special, the Montague was
stunning – so original and wonderfully evocative and atmospheric! …and then the Nielsen to end – a great Danish treat!

Congratulations on such a successful concert! The Marryat Players was certainly an impressive group of young musicians!

I just wanted to say that we came to Sunday’s Marryat Players and very much enjoyed it – particularly Richard Smith’s Lark Ascending. We were really struck by the standard of playing.

We enjoyed every minute of the concert last Sunday. I was particularly impressed by The Lark Ascending and Carl Nielsen’s piece which were both very beautiful and powerful. And even more so with the age of the musicians!

Last night’s concert was excellent….thank you so much.

Thanks for a great concert. The Lark Ascending was amazing.

As usual, I really enjoyed the concert.

Thank you so much for another really super evening. We all thought the concert was especially good tonight and we particularly enjoyed hearing the violinist Richard Smith playing The Lark Ascending.

What an unexpected treat it was to enjoy the skill, youthfulness and music of the Marryat Players. This is what we need in these disturbing times. How I wish it was practical for me to still live in Wimbledon! (But at 91, one must do what is best
for everyone!)

The evening was wonderful on Sunday: many congratulations to all.

I was delighted to be there for such a lovely concert. See you in July!

A great concert last night – well done!

We much enjoyed the Marryat concert, very lively and of high quality…many congratulations.

Wonderful concert…inspiring as ever...

Yet another excellent concert by the Marryat Players.

I am so sorry that I was unable to come on Sunday …I bumped into a friend on Monday and she was so full of praise
for the performance.

We thought the orchestra was so talented. Congratulations to all the young players and looking forward to the next
concert in July.

Another very successful concert.

I enjoyed the programme and hearing Richard Smith again.

Thank you so much for the wonderful concert last night – it was such a marvellous occasion. We are now looking forward to the next concert.

Another marvellous concert – well done to all of you!

The concert was terrific.

Another lovely concert - we are all so lucky to be able to enjoy them!

 

 

Comments after the concert at The Great Hall, King's College School,
on Friday 24th October 2008

Once again the Marryat Players surpassed themselves! The young orchestra emit such enthusiasm and joy in their playing…Jacob Barnes was superb! Altogether a fabulous programme and a privilege to be part of such a special evening. Congratulations!

What a marvellous evening….another scintillating performance by your brilliant young Players. Under Robert Max they demonstrated wonderful technique and an effortless purity of sound throughout a demanding programme. A magnificent achievement….the most lovely evening – an absolute joy!

I just needed to tell you once more how fantastic I found last night and to thank, and above all congratulate you again. Whereas all the pieces were a delight, the tackling of the Stravinsky was unbelievable both in ambition and execution. What a great thing you are doing: Wimbledon is so indebted to you all.

We thoroughly enjoyed the concert on Friday…we thought it was a marvellous programme and wasn’t Jacob Barnes a brilliant pianist!

Thank you again for a marvellous concert. It seems amazing but each concert they seem to nose up a notch even from a very high level. The Tchaikovsky was quite magical.

Another wonderful concert last night – sheer enjoyment!

Thank you so much for last night, it was wonderful…we are in a different world just for that time.

Thank you very much for yet another very successful evening last Friday. Jacob was stunning as a Bach soloist and the overall choice of music was superb.

What a treat last night was! Our thanks comes to the entire orchestra for giving us such a superb performance…. We so look forward to the next performance and thank you immensely.

Just to say thank you again for the wonderful concert on Friday. Such impressive musicians – especially the pianist – and a diverse selection of music. We really did enjoy it very much indeed.

We thought the Marryat Players played Apollon Musagete superbly and the piano playing and orchestra were stunning in the Bach!

Thank you for another wonderful and delightful concert….Congratulations all round for the wonderful work and bringing such joy to the neighbourhood.

Congratulations on another outstanding concert. I was really glad I came, despite my evil throat and chest bug….

It was a most enjoyable evening at the MP concert – especially Jacob’s Bach …

We are having to arrive ever earlier to be sure of seats at Marryat Players concerts! It is not surprising that music-making of this calibre draws the crowds. The Tchaikovsky created a magical and serene opening to the concert and revealed the beautiful quality of string playing. We then enjoyed the tremendous verve and energy of the Bach concerto – our warmest congratulations to your talented soloist Jacob Barnes for playing of such maturity and technical assurance. The Stravinsky was unknown to us but Robert Max’s introduction helped to bring the music to life and we enjoyed it greatly – what gifted soloists there are in the orchestra.

We loved Friday evening – it was a marvellous achievement, frightfully difficult, but they did so well. I thought it was wonderful!

I so enjoyed the concert last night and I will certainly come again…

Another stunning concert which we thoroughly enjoyed.

A wonderful concert on Friday evening…the orchestra played extremely well.

I very much enjoyed last Friday's concert and I thought the playing was great by any standard.

The concert was a great success. Jacob Barnes was a joy to watch and listen to and the Stravinsky was poignant and moving as a result of excellent control from the players and the wonderful solo playing. I loved the Tchaikovsky because I always do but especially when it is played so brilliantly.

Just a short note to say how much I enjoyed the concert...many congratulations with the great success of the evening...

Just to say how very much I enjoyed the concert last Friday. The playing was superb and it is thrilling to hear young players with such verve and enthusiasm.

Another beautiful concert with the Marryat Players! Robert Max did a great job and the orchestra rose to the challenge of a tricky programme which I thought they delivered beautifully.

Comments after the concert at The Great Hall, King's College School,
on Thursday 17th July 2008

The Marryat Players played with a verve, panache and accuracy that would be astonishing for an adult orchestra, let alone one where some of the players' feet did not reach the floor. To play the Mozart divertimento without a conductor and with such antiphonal joy was an achievement indeed and the rapport between soloist and orchestra in the Boccherini concerto I hope made Alexander Baillie very happy. The Tippett is not easy and the idiom demanding but they really rose to the challenge. What an enterprise!

Thank you and many congratulations to you all on a wonderful concert last night. It was a brilliant programme – a feast of the classical and baroque repertoire and then the glorious Tippett as a truly grand finale. Alexander Baillie showed boundless energy as both soloist and conductor and his directing of the Players was masterly. The Tippett was performed with such flair – the rich, romantic sound and the skilfull execution of the tricky rhythms showing once again that these musicians can achieve a performance well beyond their years.

Well – on each occasion you have all risen to the challenge but the 17th July has to go down as an all time incredible event. I really do think that one would have to go a very long way to beat the standards that you achieve – the Mozart at such a cracking pace and so perfectly timed without a standing conductor – incredible – and it is such an honour to hear Alexander Baillie – wonderful, wonderful. As for the Tippett – this was overwhelming – no praise is high enough.

Yet another triumph! Alexander Baillie comes across as a marvellously warm person who not only plays the cello superbly but also inspires the young players to produce their very best performances.

We thought the concert was outstanding even by the exalted standards of the Marryat Players! Right from the start, there was an engaging gutsy quality to the playing. The additional number of players meant there was even greater vigour than usual but with no loss of tuning! We enjoyed the Mozart and the baroque concertos but the highlight was for us the Tippett. It was a brilliant and self-confident performance, doing full justice to what sounds like a very difficult piece. The soloists in the slow movement were particularly wonderful!

Congratulations on last night. We thought the concert was absolutely marvellous. I thought it was the best one I have been to. Max Baillie did a wonderful job of directing the Mozart, the cello concertos were very enjoyable and the Tippett was great. All my pupils said what a wonderful time they had had. What an amazing task for you to feed that enormous crowd! We so enjoy your receptions too – the strawberries always taste better than anywhere else!!

Another wonderful Marryat week…we were enthralled yet again by a stunningly professional-sounding performance. Such a rich, full sound, beautifully balanced and so admirably controlled. The effect was utterly captivating. The vigour and exhilaration of the playing exceeded even the high expectations we have now learnt to expect of the Marryat Players – not a little due, we suspect, to the inspirational leadership of the remarkable Baillie père et fils partnership.

We were absolutely bowled over by the incredibly high standard of the playing. It was all superb and we found the Tippett to be outstanding. It was truly an inspiration to see and hear so many young people who are obviously dedicated to learning and playing classical music.

Last night your orchestra was riveting, something really special. I loved the programme and was quite caught up in the enthusiasm of the players; it seemed to end so quickly!

A really fabulous evening. What a high standard they reached and what a wonderful atmosphere they created. I felt the air was electric in the Tippett.

We enjoyed the concert enormously, both the programme and the performance, and it was a great privilege to hear Alexander Baillie again.

Congratulations, once again, on a truly wonderful concert….it really was the best ever – I loved the Mozart in particular, and also the Tippett was outstanding. Tippett has never been top of my list before, but I was completely converted by the Marryat Players’ performance! Their music is truly uplifting and beautiful and they play so beautifully together.

I thought it was the best Marryat concert I had heard and the person next to me in the audience agreed – he had attended every one since 2000. It is quite beyond my comprehension how you train such a large orchestra of young musicians, talented though they must be, to play with such confidence and skill after only four days together. The Tippett in particular was quite wonderful.

Thank you for such a lovely evening on Thursday. The Marryat Players excelled themselves.

The programme was daunting but the players were more than able and the exciting sound of all those young strings was fantastic. I had a most wonderful evening; the words ‘yet again’ keep coming to mind!

I have to agree that this was the best one yet both for the technical skill and sheer enthusiasm of the players. I really thought they deserved a standing ovation.

The concert was a triumph…would you have believed when you set out on this adventure that you would have a full scale Tippett on your hands? Loved the whole concert and Alexander Baillie was pure joy.

We much enjoyed the concert at KCS last evening and were greatly impressed by the stunning performance of all those young people, and of course, Alexander Baillie. What an achievement! Thanks again for a brilliant evening.

Another wonderful evening with a fantastic concert and such talented young musicians.

Just a note to say how much we enjoyed the concert last night. Quite fantastic!!

Thank you so much for yet another wonderful evening. The concert was amazing and most enjoyable!

The Marryat Players were quite amazing! It’s hard to believe that the orchestra consisted of school children. The energy and enthusiasm was almost electrifying and their interpretation of the various pieces magical. How lucky the Players are to belong to such a wonderful group and with the benefit of such different and distinguished conductors. The chemistry between the Players was fantastic and I expect deep friendships are formed over chocolate brownies and badminton!

The evening was exceptional and the standard of music a pleasure to behold….truly inspirational.

Thank you so much for a marvellous concert last night. It was superb and gave such pleasure and uplift to us all.

Thank you for another wonderful concert. The Players performed with such joy and feeling and gave us all a most enjoyable and special evening. Marvellous!

This was a truly great Marryat concert, a very special occasion indeed!

What a splendid concert last Thursday! The best ever maybe? I don’t know when I remember a happier evening….How splendidly Max lead the orchestra quite apart from his fine playing…

It was a great pleasure to hear music played with so much enthusiasm and enjoyment by such young players. We were impressed by the playing, size of audience! and organisation…thank you for a lovely evening.

Thank you so much for giving us such a wonderful evening. The high standard of music making never ceases to amaze me. Everyone’s hard work really paid off. Certainly a huge success and we very much enjoyed it…..

Once again thank you for a marvellous concert and for a lovely party afterwards.

Many thanks for the excellent concert last evening – the first I knew of the orchestra’s existence.

Thank you for a really wonderful concert –we so enjoyed it!!

The Marryat Players gave a very accomplished performance which we all enjoyed.

Another wonderful course and truly superb concert. Our daughter was on a complete high after the concert! I am so impressed with the orchestra…

Splendid concert, lovely evening, thanks for the delights!

 

Comments after the concert at The Great Hall, King's College School,
on Saturday 29th March 2008

 

Congratulations! Last night’s performance was a triumph…..We thought it was very clever of you to sandwich some lovely Bach, with a brilliant soloist, in between two very enjoyable pieces by more modern composers some of us had never heard of.

We thought that the Players were in top form under the creative guidance of Matthias Feile. They looked so professional, showing real flair and energy in their performance.

Thank you so much for the most wonderful concert I have seen in a very long time... The evening was so breathtaking, in particular the Arvo Pärt...

Just a quick note to say how much we enjoyed the delightful concert last night: what an achievement and congratulations to everybody concerned in what is obviously a slick organisation carried out with much love and affection.

Another brilliant concert – well done! They do seem to get better and better and better…

What an inspiring evening. The choice of pieces was perfect and such an accomplished and talented soloist…. Thank you for giving us such joy.

Thank you for yet another memorable and most enjoyable concert including two pieces which were new to me…

Many congratulations on a great evening…. Mengla Huang expressed how much he enjoyed working with the orchestra…

Saturday’s concert was, once again, a delight. As always, the choice of repertoire was inspired, introducing players and audience to less well-known works as well as old favourites.

Terrific concert – one of the best so far. I particularly like the Arvo Pärt…. and that young violinist does have a beautiful relaxed tone. Many thanks.

Thank you for a wonderful evening last night. We were so impressed by the performance. The programme was very well selected. We especially enjoyed the Arvo Pärt, an unusual piece I had never heard before. The soloist was superb in the Bach.

Many thanks for another wonderful concert last night. The Suk Serenade is a great piece that I didn’t know at all before.

Another splendid evening…Mengla Huang played beautifully and the Josef Suk was totally new to us – exciting music.

Thank you for a lovely concert on Saturday…

The Marryat Players concert was wonderful, as always…

Another wonderful concert and evening. Thank you so much and many congratulations. I particularly enjoyed the first piece by Arvo Pärt and of course Mengla Huang was fabulous…

The concert as always was fantastic.

Such an enjoyable evening…The Marryat Players were playing to a very high standard as always and we really liked the pieces they played. It’s always fun to hear something new. Now we are very much looking forward to the next concert. I wonder what you are planning!

The concert was wonderful…a highly successful week.

Comments after the concert at The Great Hall, King's College School,
on Friday 26th October 2007

 

Such a wonderful concert. It was magical and a great treat. I wished the music to go on and on - but that must be paradise I suppose.

What an amazing performance that was. We have never heard your Players generate such extraordinary power and lyricism. It was truly exhilarating. Another wonderful concert – thank you so much.

Yet another glorious evening and for (our son) another gloriously memorable week. I shouldn’t by this time be surprised at the excellence and the sheer exhilaration of the Marryat Players’ performances – and yet I still am, every time.

Your orchestra is truly inspiring. We feel not only the children benefit…but also the whole community. Thank you so much for a wonderful evening.

Another brilliant concert. I congratulated Robert Max on the enormous energy he had put into his conducting. His reply, which really says it all, is that the players were particularly responsive last night. And Tamsin, whom Robert said he’d known since she was ten, was incredibly good. You will have to book somewhere like the Albert Hall for future concerts. They are getting so popular.

Many congratulations on last night’s concert. The whole evening was a great success, and it was delightful to see so many younger players in the orchestra. By far my favourite item was the Tchaikovsky Serenade, which I thought triumphantly vindicated the idea of choosing repertoire which is challenging for the young players. Everyone clearly loved doing it, and I felt that a work like that, which has such a romantic aura and such a grand sweep to it, really pulls the players along and inspires them to reach a little further than they thought they could. Robert Max was excellent, particularly in that piece.

A superb concert. We feel privileged to have heard Tamsin Waley-Cohen in the glorious Haydn: she surely has a glittering career ahead of her. The Players themselves, under the superb direction of Robert Max, were in top form. The Tchaikovsky, in particular, showed a delicious and richness of tone and great maturity of playing. It is hard to believe that these players are so young!

Another fantastic concert tonight….For me the Tchaikovsky showed everybody working their socks off and was a huge and really passionate sound. The standard has rocketed over the last year or two.

What an absolutely great concert that was! Each concert seems to be better than the last one! Tamsin Waley-Cohen was superb – what an amazing talent…There seem to be more Friends than ever – you will soon have to take over the Albert Hall!

The concert was wonderful and a special treat to see (our daughter) enjoying herself so much…Robert always has the technique to draw something special out of the Marryats and last night was no exception. Marryat Players is the most essential part of our girls’ musical life – their instruments come alive for them and it is wonderful to see them in love with music throughout the week and for sometime afterwards. Like many parents, I am sure we will count the MP weeks as some of the most significant in our children’s musical lives – a double whammy of unpretentious expertise and enjoyment. Lovely to see that Tamsin has grown into an uncluttered and natural musician, with a most beautiful line in pianissimos.

A really terrific evening on Friday. My mother was so impressed she is going to plan her visits to Wimbledon next year around the Marryat Players’ concerts! The musicians were all impressive, especially Tamsin Waley-Cohen.

It was a wonderful evening and we were so pleased that we were able to be there. We had heard about the Marryat Players but we had no idea what we could expect. It was a pleasure to hear such a young orchestra, which embraced a considerable age range, and to see and hear Tamsin again. As a member of the audience, I was impressed by the concentration shown by the members of the orchestra as they played, the assured confidence of the older players and the determination and sense of performance of the younger ones.

The orchestra really played their hearts out – and what a splendid conductor Robert Max is.

The accompaniment to the Haydn was very stylish and I thought it was lovely that Robert Max just let them get on with it in the slow movement and put his baton down. Throughout I thought he was very impressive – looked so assured and confident and knew how little to do. Lovely musician.

I once again must put pen to paper to congratulate you on such an enormously successful evening on Friday – the assembled company seemed to attain even greater heights – how it is achieved in four days is absolutely beyond me….

We were so impressed by the wonderful concert last night and we just wanted to write and tell you how much we’d enjoyed it. As that chap who spoke afterwards said, you really have created something very special and we Wimbledonians are very lucky to be the beneficiaries!

We did enjoy the wonderful concert…I spoke to Robert Max and his delightful children in the garden and many other happy guests who all said it was a wonderful concert and an amazing evening.

We had to drop you a line to say how we enjoyed the concert yesterday, it was truly superb! Over the years we have heard many concerts that have been put on at the end of a music course, but never one of such a high standard.

Just wanted to say how much we both enjoyed the concert last night. Well done! It was truly excellent – my husband said he thought it was the best yet. What a wonderful violinist Tamsin is too! I feel she has a great future in the music world.

The concert was really fabulous. The Handel was wonderful to start with, and it all just got even better and better…the Tchaikovsky was like a deep, rich red wine! Glorious!

Congratulations! Another marvellous concert.

Such a wonderful concert last night - an exciting programme brilliantly performed.

Thanks for a wonderful concert…what a gratifyingly large audience. Now that you may have outgrown the Great Hall we have been plotting possible solutions: I thought Wigmore Hall, my husband thinks wide screens on the Common or in Cannizaro Park, especially in summer!

So nice after the concert to have the opportunity to talk to some of the enthusiastic young musicians …and the whole of Wimbledon! Looking forward to the next one.

Thank you for another wonderful Marryat Players concert.

Another wonderful concert – actually one of THE best! We are so lucky to have them on our doorstep.

You have done it again: a magical evening! Divine music and a sensational soloist.

Thank you for another most amazing concert. It is always such a thrill to see those talented young people putting so much into their music and producing such beautiful sounds.

I thought the concert was, for me, the best yet by the Marryat Players and Tamsin’s playing was quite beautiful….special thanks for such an enjoyable evening.

We thoroughly enjoyed the Marryat Players’ wonderful concert. What an amazing standard. Our daughter was inspired.

A wonderful evening…The Marryat Players get better and better. Tamsin’s violin playing was especially memorable and I shall follow her career with interest. I’m looking forward to the CD and hearing it all again.

It was the most wonderful concert last night, we so enjoyed it, the music will stay with us for some time – and then some, having ordered the CD!

What a wonderful concert on Friday! Many congratulations to all concerned. We were so impressed by the standard of the orchestra and, of course, loved hearing Tamsin again.

I thought the Tchaikovsky was divine. I could listen again and again.

We were very impressed by what had been achieved in the concert which was outstandingly good.

A most enjoyable evening and an excellent programme - varied and challenging. The Marryat Players rose to the occasion superbly. They played the Handel with style, they complemented the superb soloist in the Haydn perfectly and gave a memorably committed and accomplished performance of the Tchaikovsky Serenade.

A fabulous concert last Friday! The young orchestra were on top form and Tamsin played with such sensitivity and panache. We really loved the Tchaikovsky! The energy, enthusiasm and sheer enjoyment on the part of the orchestra was almost tangible - a real highlight! Congratulations to everyone!

 

 

Comments after the concert at The Great Hall, King's College School,
on Thursday 19th July 2007

Yesterday’s concert was quite stunning – the Handel played with such accuracy and emotion, and the Mozart with such joy and panache, but the most astonishing and moving was Sandy Baillie’s Rainforest Song, which obviously caught the imagination of the young players, as well as the audience. It was so dramatic and inventive. The whole programme was perfect for the Marryat Players’ 21st concert. Many, many congratulations!

Once again the Marryat Players dazzle us. A perfect joy!

Still full of euphoria from last night’s pleasures and I want to tell you how amazed, thrilled and delighted I was to be at such a very special event…..I was simply overwhelmed by the scale and quality of everything that was on offer last night…it was the most delightful evening I can remember for a long time.

What can one say? The Marryat Players get better every time and one runs out of superlatives. It was particularly good this time to have a work specially written for the Players, as well as two lovely classical pieces.

The Mozart in the concert was a triumph…..a beautiful performance.

What a formidable concert last night! The Players are truly accomplished, the soloists were outstanding and the venue is perfect.

It was a wonderful evening with astonishing talent…these events add something very special to the quality of life in Wimbledon.

Many congratulations to you all on a superb concert.

A first class concert!

Wonderful concert…we were especially impressed by the Rainforest Song which should become a classic in years to come.

Just a note to say how much we enjoyed the concert – in particular the Mozart.

I thoroughly enjoyed the concert last night – found Sandy Baillie’s piece fascinating. The players are achieving a remarkably high standard at every concert.

The concert was superb.

Thank you for a wonderful concert last night…I much enjoyed Sandy’s imaginative piece.

What a wonderful 21st concert last night…Everyone was commenting on the remarkable success of the Marryat Players, and the really happy atmosphere.

Thank you and congratulations on such a splendid concert by the Marryat Players last night in Wimbledon. We were very entertained by the music from so many gifted young musicians and to hear such an interesting world premiere of The Rainforest. The two soloists were very special too.

A ravishing concert…the performance was of such a high standard and a real treat. We particularly enjoyed the new Baillie piece, it had that elusive trance-like quality and the musicians clearly relished the challenge!

We thoroughly enjoyed the concert… we feel fortunate to be living in Wimbledon with such excellence ‘on the doorstep’.

Wonderful – an evening of very great pleasure.

I thoroughly enjoyed the concert last night. The orchestra is absolutely amazing…the Mozart piece is one of my absolute favourites…

Another wonderful “Marryat” evening.

Last week I attended my first concert of the Players. I was very impressed. The quality of the orchestra’s performance was superb, at least as good as many professional orchestras that I have heard perform, the violin and viola soloists were excellent and Alexander Baillie’s Rainforest Song most enjoyable. In anticipation of modern music I usually cringe or simply decide to ‘grin and bear it’ but on this occasion I genuinely found it delightful. Something for the Proms next year? In total a great concert.

There was some ‘Marryat magic’ in the air!

What a treat! – another tremendous success. We in Wimbledon are so fortunate to have in our midst such memorable evenings – wonderful music, full of youthful energy, brilliant soloists, and on Thursday, a wonderful first performance of ‘Rainforest Song’. I do hope this becomes a standard work for young orchestras with its message of survival for the planet.

Thank you - again! - for a splendid concert.

What a brilliant concert.

It was a wonderful concert – many congratulations.

A splendid evening of youthful music making.

Thank you for a truly uplifting and inspiring performance! What a privilege to be part of the first audience to listen to Alexander Baillie’s Rainforest: we enjoyed it in awe and surprisingly could cope with a performance so different from the usual classical sounds. Congratulations!

A super concert which we thoroughly enjoyed.

A wonderful evening as ever. I’m always bowled over with the talent and talk about it for days! Congratulations.

A wonderful evening. As always we thoroughly enjoyed the music. We are so impressed by the amount of effort those youngsters put into their concerts. We were quite fascinated by Alexander Baillie’s new piece. What a treat for us to be the first to hear it. I also thought the Mozart was absolutely beautiful. I can’t wait for the next concert.

A most delightful evening…I am so glad I was introduced to your wonderful group of youthful musicians. Such a joy to listen to.

Many thanks for the splendid Marryat Players concert.

I was most impressed by the spirit of the whole evening.

Splendid, as always. May the Marryat Players continue from strength to strength!

 

Comments after the concert at The Great Hall, King's College School,
on Saturday 14th April 2007

A magnificent concert last night! I think that every member of the audience was amazed at the sheer vitality, enthusiasm and professionalism of such a young orchestra. The Dvorak was a very bold choice but the orchestra put their heart and soul into it, with such fervour, and the Mendelssohn was simply exquisite.

What an inspiring evening! If you closed your eyes you would not think these musicians were ‘young’ (in age anyway). Thank you for a wonderful occasion.

Saturday evening was another triumph for your Marryat Players. They achieved effortless mastery of those very difficult and beautiful pieces…. It was a sublime performance.

What a triumph the concert was. How lucky for the young musicians to have such an experience.

A fantastic concert last night…we were agreed that the standard was indistinguishable from a professional concert – and terrific to have it right there on the doorstep. Congratulations!

What a perfect evening it was. Beautiful music, beautifully played – best ever orchestra! The lovely Sibelius and Dvorak were utterly eclipsed by the Mendelssohn for me because of Max Baillie’s violin playing. I was bowled over completely!

The orchestra were exceptional. The essence of each work was conveyed without fuss or obstacle … Max has become a fine violinist with amazing intonation and command.

A truly enchanted evening on Saturday! The Marryat Players were a joy to hear.

What a treat on Saturday…. beautiful music and disciplined playing ….Max Baillie is such a talented individual – wonderful playing, linked to conducting at the same time! And then the final delight was to see him take his place next to the smallest junior violinist and clearly enjoy ‘making music’.

The Marryat Players concert was splendid and the standard of playing and ensemble was extraordinary.

I write to congratulate you on a marvellous concert… and the huge enthusiasm and professionalism of your young team. What stars they were!

We thought it was the most accomplished version of the Marryat Players so far …it was obvious from the opening bars that this was a more mature and polished orchestra. We loved the whole programme especially the Dvorak Serenade.

Congratulations to all, Saturday’s performance was quite brilliant.

The orchestra was fantastic, and the size and support of the audience was incredible.

We all thought the music wonderful, the Marryat Players a triumph.

Thank you so much for a marvellous evening of music last night.

A truly wonderful evening.

Quite spectacular music.

What a truly wonderful concert that was on Saturday evening (yet again!) and what a very gifted performer young Max Baillie is…it was a perfect evening in every way.

Another wonderful performance from Marryat Players.

Thank you yet again but this time for an even more spectacular performance from the Players to celebrate their 20th performance. It was truly splendid.

It is wonderful to give such young talent an opportunity to play in concerts like that. I am sure they will appreciate having had the opportunity to do so for the rest of their lives.

It was a fantastic concert. The enthusiasm of the players is lovely to watch and it never fails to amaze me how talented they all are.

We want to tell you how impressed we were with the Marryat Players. So wonderful to see so many young people performing so skilfully, and enjoying themselves.

Congratulations on a splendid concert. They played magnificently, better than ever.

It was a terrific concert last Saturday…This was the first Marryat Players concert I have been to, and I think the standard was truly impressive.

Many congratulations – it was a splendid concert.

We did so enjoy our evening with the Marryat Players – the high standard of performance and the evident pleasure of the young in taking part made it a special occasion.

Thank you for the wonderful Marryat Player concerts.

As always, I thoroughly enjoyed the Marryat Players concert and I thought their standard of playing was the best I had heard….altogether a very special and enjoyable Saturday evening.

The Marryat Players were superb, they just seem to go from strength to strength…..Max playing the violin so beautifully…We just enjoyed it all so much and can hardly wait for the next concert.

 

Comments after the concert at The Great Hall, King's College School,
on Friday 27th October 2006

‘Congratulations to all concerned on yet another brilliant concert’

‘Such a wonderful evening last night. The concert was brilliant after clearly an immense amount of hard work and it was fantastic to see so much young talent’

‘The concert was really memorable and the standard of playing and enthusiasm was staggering. And what a wonderful performance by Izzy Pyper!’

‘What an inspiring concert in the Great Hall on Friday’

‘Congratulations to your wonderful young players on a superb concert on Friday. They never cease to absolutely amaze me at their increasingly higher standard! Sir Roger de Coverley was truly a tour de force….’

‘Last night was terrific! The concert was outstanding and so impressive’

‘Yet another wonderful evening! Your very young orchestra performed incredibly …a delight’

‘Tremendous’

‘Many congratulations …it really was wonderful. The group goes from strength to strength’

‘It was an absolutely splendid concert last night and we thought that the Arensky variations were so beautiful. All the performers radiated such enthusiasm…the Marryat Players have developed so amazingly in such a short space of time.’

‘It was great to hear young musicians giving their all and achieving such high standards’

'It really was a super evening - what talent Izzy Pyper has’

‘Another triumph under your belt. It was a lovely evening’

‘Thank you Marryat Players for another delightful concert. How fantastic are these youngsters!’

‘Such a great concert and such a wonderful evening. The Marryat Players are a great addition to the local cultural scene’

‘We so much enjoyed the concert on Friday. High time we became ‘Friends’ ’

‘Another fabulous evening last Friday’

‘Once again such a lovely musical evening…we are all spoilt’

‘The rehearsals on the ‘swimming pool’ were unforgettable (even in my age where so much disappears!) Robert Max was so inspiring…there was a lovely atmosphere and enthusiasm all over! It was fantastic and more to experience!’

‘It was a memorable evening. Thank you so much’

‘It was such a treat for us to experience the concert, the players, the music, the conductor, the whole atmosphere. Amazing’

‘What a wonderful evening on Friday. Thank you so much’

‘Remarkable and inspirational!’

‘Thank you so much for including us in the splendid activities of Friday evening. It was a delight to attend’

‘A delightful concert…such a splendid evening…such a fantastic standard, not only of playing but of enthusiasm and enjoyment’

‘I did so enjoy the concert on Friday and was most impressed with the playing of the young people and their evident enthusiasm’

‘A splendid evening last night. I enjoyed it very much’

‘Another very successful concert and most enjoyable evening’

‘We thought the standard of performance was very high…congratulations on this worthy addition to Wimbledon’s cultural life’

‘Such a splendid concert…we look forward to the next’

‘A lovely evening on Friday, I enjoyed it enormously’

‘A special evening, as usual’

‘A wonderful evening with even more supporters. A big thank you ….I would hate to miss any of these lovely concerts’

‘Yet another evening of wonderful music…the playing of the young musicians was most impressive …Congratulations to the Marryat Players and we look forward to the concerts in 2007’

Comments after the concert at The Great Hall, King's College School,
on Sunday 23rd July 2006

The standard of the orchestra was, we thought, extraordinary – not least the young soloist.

A resounding success…the concert was simply wonderful and Joy was a star in every way…the Marryat Players is a wonderful achievement.

I am spellbound!! I thought tonight’s concert was superb with playing and musicianship of a very high order. I was very moved by the Vaughan Williams. Everyone is to be congratulated…

Once again the whole scale of the event was amazing to witness. The huge orchestra, the enormous sound those tiny people made, the full audience with people standing along the back…it was a great evening. I particularly enjoyed the Mozart overture, knowing how difficult it is and how the young players had mastered the tricky bits!

It was well that I arrived early, for not everyone got a seat…. wonderful to see so many young people experiencing something of such value which will enrich the rest of their lives.

I should have done this sooner – but last night’s concert clinched it!
(on becoming a Friend)

Such professionalism and extraordinary talent made it a very special evening and we could not have enjoyed it more.

The concert was spectacular; we were all so impressed and enjoyed all three pieces. Joy was a joy to listen to! Absolutely mind bogglingly talented.

I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed the Players’ performance at KCS on Sunday. It was an inspired performance…so few young musicians get to play in orchestras of that standard.

Congratulations to all the Marryat Players on last night’s concert which we enjoyed hugely. The Saint-Saens was indeed a joy, as was the Tallis Fantasia.

The Vaughan Williams was one of the finest things that I have heard from the orchestra and Matthias has a wonderful gift of extracting a stunning sound and a moving, sincere expression.

I think it was a great concert and a perfect evening…it really is quite lovely to look at that lawn with the badminton net while eating a strawberry.

We all thoroughly enjoyed the concert last night. What fantastic talent the 13 year old cellist, Joy, showed! There is no doubt that (if the door hasn’t closed) we will join the Friends…

A splendid evening. What a marvellous concert and also a lovely time in your garden!

Another enjoyable evening in the company of the Marryat Players. It sounded as fantastic as ever.

Many thanks for another excellent concert…congratulations to the musicians.

Thank you very much for the amazing concert on Sunday – Joy Lisney was brilliant – and the whole group of Marryat Players excellent.

Another fabulous concert – they really are special evenings and it is wonderful to have such a treat on our doorstep – you all worked incredibly hard and it was a huge success – as it always is!

Another wonderful evening of music. Such dedication in all the young, and how it shows, playing so brilliantly.

I so enjoyed the concert, it made me feel quite emotional.

What an absolutely super concert last night – thank you so much.

A wonderful evening on Sunday…we so enjoyed the concert, a good choice of music beautifully played. I love watching them as much as listening. It’s a treat to hear Joy playing her cello, she is so composed…I can’t wait to hear her again.

A wonderful concert last Sunday, the first I had attended. I was spellbound! A noble cause superbly executed.

Many congratulations on another very successful concert.

That was a brilliant concert – those young people are quite amazing…it won’t be long before you need the Albert Hall.

A wonderful musical treat on Sunday.

It was a wonderful performance on Sunday…your Marryat Players have grown so much since I last came, but the ‘tingle factor’ has never left. I shall never again hear the Saint-Saens cello concerto without remembering Joy’s exquisite interpretation. I was thrilled to be with you.

Just to say thank you for the opportunity to play with you last week. It was a privilege to play with such wonderful musicians and I really enjoyed the experience.

I just wanted to say thank you so much for another fabulous week of Marryat Players…I’d love to do MPs in October if there’s space for me!

Sunday’s concert exceeded all our expectations and we very much look forward to the orchestra’s next performance

It was lovely to see so many great young musicians enjoying themselves and putting on such a terrific concert in such a short time. We all really enjoyed it. Congratulations.

A memorable evening. We look forward to an encore!

Comments after the concert at The Great Hall, King's College School,
on Friday 24th February 2006

“What an absolutely stunning evening on Friday – the entire programme was so uplifting and of such a high standard – and your venture into supporting the two young professionals was quite staggering – I don’t think that I have ever enjoyed the double concerto quite so much – it was rounded, full sounding, had pace and accuracy and left one yearning for more…it was wonderful. Congratulations.”

“The concert was truly inspiring; so much energy, enthusiasm and skill filling that beautiful hall. Sandy Baillie’s leadership/direction was awe-inspiring…”

“Another wonderful evening – a treat and enchantment for us all who were there.”

“Concert still going through my head…I think that the second movement of the Bach had a superb interpretation, completely transparent orchestral texture, the solo lines light without losing depth, loving and as expressive as it needed or wanted to be without pulling things about.”

“Things just get better and better…many congratulations on a fabulous concert. It was a privilege and an incredible pleasure to be there.”

“Friday night was an absolute joy. Thank you so much for a wonderful concert. It was something quite new and special for our guests…they had never experienced anything like it.”

“I thought the orchestra sounded amazingly secure and confident…. There was some really outstanding ensemble playing in the Holberg particularly, and illuminating to hear the Alexander a second time round, now sounding like a piece that the band could play for breakfast! And of course a real coup to get those two fiddlers in…”

“Such a brilliant evening – it really was an exhilarating experience! I know we won’t forget Nicola or Alina’s performances nor indeed the Marryat Players who were amazing!”

“I can’t thank you enough for yet another truly splendid evening. I thought the concert was sublime, particularly the Bach and the Grieg – what a very talented group of young people!”

“Last night’s concert was one of my most enjoyable. I thought there was a perfect contrast of pieces, all performed beautifully. It was magical listening to the Bach.”

“Another hugely successful concert. I’m almost running out of things to say now after such a long run of beautifully organised, beautifully presented events with dozens of happy and satisfied young musicians milling about in the garden afterwards. The programme was lovely and varied, it was great to see new and younger faces, the soloists were delightful, and altogether it seems to have been a very happy meeting of the Marryats.”

“Congratulations to all concerned for yet another brilliant concert!”

“The concert was magical…it was wonderful to hear all those young people performing with such confidence and enjoyment.”

“It was superb!”

“We are still on a high from the brilliant concert…more than once during the concert one had that distinct feeling of a unique moment in time…. looking about the thronged Great Hall of KCS it was difficult to imagine that it all began in your living room.”

“Congratulations on another memorable Marryat concert performance. The tone and professionalism of the young orchestra is quite remarkable and such joy to listen to.”

“What a remarkable concert – quite a memorable and stimulating experience.”

“We want to say how much we’ve enjoyed the fantastic music this evening.”

“Such a great evening last night. I especially enjoyed the new work and of course the Bach which was just superb. It was a treat on a cold Friday evening.”

“The Marryat Players were excellent, as always, and we thoroughly enjoyed the marvellous soloists. It was also very nice to hear the Circadian Rhythms by Colin Alexander. He is obviously a very talented young man and no doubt we will be hearing a lot more of his work in the future.”

“…the latest Marryat triumph”

“The concert was wonderful on Friday night – thank you!”

“Once again a ‘magical’ evening.”

“The concert on Friday evening was superb.”

“What a splendid evening…it was a real joy to hear Nicola and Alina playing Bach’s Concerto for two violins and I was most impressed with the composition by Colin Alexander.”

“Congratulations on a splendid concert – we really enjoyed it immensely.”

“How much we enjoyed listening to the Marryat Players last Friday and especially the opportunity to hear the two soloists together – both so spectacular!”

“We were very impressed with the Marryat Players – it is the first time we have heard their concerts and look forward to many more events! They deserve support!”

“Yet another impressive and well-balanced performance from your super-talented young orchestra. The Holberg Suite was beautifully executed, and Circadian Rhythms as thought provoking and exciting as ever. Not surprisingly, the two guest soloists produced a performance of stellar quality which your Players responded to magnificently. What excellent partners they have found in Marryat Players! It was a marvellous evening.”

“Terrific concert – many thanks”

“A wonderful evening on Friday. The concert was very impressive and we enjoyed it immensely – such maturity from such young people.”

“We thoroughly enjoyed the winter concert of the Marryat Players on Friday. It was one of the highlights of my sister’s London visit.”

“A splendid evening of music…Sandy Baillie directed so well and we thought the standard of playing and listening amongst all the players was terrific. The Marryat Players go from strength to strength! Congratulations to all.”

“Such talent: the Players, Colin Alexander, and the two simply wonderful soloists Nicola Benedetti and Alina Ibragimova. What an exceptional evening.”

 

 

Comments after the concert at the Great Hall, King's College School, on 28th October 2005

“Absolutely the best concert ever! The evening was a most tremendous success and the young players really excelled. I thought the choice of music was so imaginative and gave the players a wonderful opportunity to show their versatility. The Elgar especially was a triumph. Robert Max was such a sympathetic conductor and Mei Yi Foo was a joy to listen to.”

“What a wonderful evening. We enjoyed Friday’s concert enormously – it was an inspired programme and a fitting way to celebrate five years of marvellous music making.”

“This concert was so superb that it took one’s breath away…. Robert Max was inspirational.”

“Your young players rose to the challenge magnificently and produced yet another sublime performance. We have so loved watching them develop and flourish. They play with such confidence and enthusiasm, and their enjoyment and love of music is positively infectious.”

“Thank you for a brilliant 5th birthday concert on Friday…the Marryat Players continues to go from strength to strength. We were particularly lucky to have ringside seats this time and so were able to see at close quarters the extraordinary energy Robert Max put into his conducting and the marvellous effect this had on all the players.”

“The orchestra was committed and fired up and went right in there.”

“It was a marvellous evening…congratulations for a clearly fantastic five years.”

“What a triumph Friday’s wonderful concert was!”

“It was a really joyous concert, with a tremendous atmosphere.”

“I never cease to be amazed by the standards the Marryat Players achieve in such a short time – and such an ambitious programme too! Congratulations to you all – a fabulous achievement and especially to the soloists in the quartet!”

“Friday’s concert was so lovely and so professional that it was very difficult to believe that the Marryat Players were only 5 years old…”

“What a wonderful concert. Last Friday was yet another memorable evening of music given by the Marryat Players.”

“Many congratulations on the concert – I think that it was one, if not the best, that I have attended. The pianist, I really thought, was outstanding and I enjoyed her performance more than I can say.”

“Thank you so much for an unforgettable evening and our congratulations to your fantastic young Players. As ever we look forward to the next performance. Roll on February!”

“Wow! Thank you so much for such a special evening on Friday. The Marryat Players were fab! It was a v special concert and great fun too!”

“Another first class evening that was as stimulating for performers and audience alike.”

“Another most wonderful evening. Thank you for so much enjoyment and pleasure…we really were uplifted afterwards. Outside King’s strangers were walking along talking to each other, sharing the experience we had all had. There was the feel of a sort of fête… this five year celebration concert gave us a special kind of joy.”

“Such a wonderful evening… I thought Robert Max was excellent, and all the soloists too, from Mei Yi through to the Elgar quartet.”

“It was really a splendid concert with everyone playing with such spirit and enthusiasm.”

“As usual such a lovely evening on Friday…it was all so special.”

“What a lovely evening. We so enjoyed ourselves, and it is so nice being able to talk to the musicians afterwards.”

“Such a treat to be with you all to celebrate the Marryat Players’ Fifth Anniversary – they are such an impressive ensemble and they performed quite beautifully. I particularly enjoyed the Elgar. Mei Yi Foo is a delightful pianist. We were very moved by it all.”

“What a very special evening and one for congratulations on your wonderful achievement over the last five years. We were so impressed with the playing that evening and especially by the fact that the programme was rehearsed in such a short time…”

“I thought the Elgar particularly was worth all the rehearsals – fantastic!”

“Another excellent concert by the Marryat Players.”

“Thank you so much for a wonderful concert on Friday, it was another great success.”

“It was a wonderful concert – the Elgar in particular was excellent – and it is really difficult!”

“Congratulations on yet another excellent concert.”

“What a marvellous evening…the musicians were superb.”

“As usual we had a wonderful evening …. We were very impressed by Mei Yi Foo and would have loved to hear more…we are now very much looking forward to your next concert in February.”

“Thank you very much for the opportunity to attend a wonderful concert by the Marryat Players!”

“It was a wonderful 5th anniversary concert – we did enjoy it so much and we are, as ever, so impressed with the performers’ achievements.”

“Another absolutely fantastic Marryat Players…I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. The programme was brilliant and I especially liked the Elgar. Can’t wait until February.”

“A wonderful performance (as usual) …”

“I think it amazing…most professional…. very moving and enjoyable.”

“The concert, as always, was a great pleasure. I look forward to February!”

“What a wonderful performance it was and DVDs are eagerly awaited! I can’t wait until February!”

“What a wonderful evening – it is all to such an incredibly high standard and such a lovely variety of pieces. Mei Yi Foo was wonderful too…her face was so expressive; obviously in a different world!”

“The programme was superb…the Marryat Players have greatly enriched the life of Wimbledon, indeed of a much wider area.”

“Marryat Players fifth anniversary was all that could be wished for and a whole host more.”

 

Comments after the concert at the Great Hall, King's College School, on 17th July 2005

“Our evening at King’s College School with the Marryat Players were hours of total enjoyment. The young musicians looked so enthusiastic and happy. Matthias Feile was like a good shepherd to them – the rapport between them was really perceptible.”

“A truly wonderful concert – the first note of the Barber was heartwrenching and Piazzolla was another knockout. The four young soloists in the Vivaldi seemed just right – smiling and relaxed and unpretentious. The authentic spirit of Marryat….”

“The soloists were wonderful and we have talked of nothing else!”

“Another triumph! What a wonderful evening. Those children are amazing…I’m filled with admiration.”

“Another evening of sublime music – what a privilege for us who listened – a most wonderful achievement.”

“We thought the Marryat Players were on superb form. What particularly impresses us, in addition to their technical excellence and accurate tuning, is the way that each piece they play is so well characterised and differentiated from the others, both in terms of performance style and mood. I particularly enjoyed the energetic Mozart!”

“Barber’s ‘Adagio for Strings’ pulls at the heart whenever it is heard and last night’s playing was truly moving. These young people play with such depth and feeling and give us concerts to remember.”

“A wonderful concert….we particularly discovered and enjoyed the jazzy pieces by Piazzolla….”

“I was so impressed…their performance was seamless.”

“The young were absolutely splendid – so fresh and full of joy. What a treat!”

“Another wonderful concert…we were quite in awe of the performances.”

“Such a hugely enjoyable evening. The music was wonderful and we thought they were all outstanding.”

“It was marvellous hearing such lovely music from a group of young, talented musicians. They performed with such joy and enthusiasm.”

“Another excellent and spirited concert was enjoyed last Sunday evening.”

“Another superb concert. They get better with each event and the audience gets bigger and more knowledgeable about the fantastic work you do.”

“An excellent evening…we so enjoyed the young people’s concert and were amazed at the very high standard. Obviously much work goes into putting on a production of this calibre and was very much appreciated by us all.”

“An astounding concert – always such a treat to have such culture on the doorstep.”

“A marvellous evening. The concert was truly superb.”

“Such a lovely concert…it was all such a success.”

“What a lovely musical evening …a summer dream!”

“Yesterday evening’s concert was the first that I’ve managed to attend - it was a real treat and we were so impressed by the standard of playing…. I’m full of admiration- I thought the results were marvellous.”

“We enjoyed it very much…it is an amazing thing to have created.”

“A lovely evening…it was just perfect.”

“Thank you just so much for another beautiful musical evening.”

“We have just been to your wonderful concert and enjoyed it so much. What hard work everyone must have put into producing an event like that!! We just wanted to say congratulations to you all and thank you and very, very well done to all the young musicians and everyone else!”

“The Marryat Players never fail to lift my spirits.”

 

Comments after the concert at the Great Hall, King's College School, on 8th April 2005

"The concert was a triumph."

"Last week’s concert was sensational."

"What an amazing evening!….a stellar performance by the Marryat Players and Joy Lisney."

"The Marryat Players continue to astonish. I thought the music making was delightful…perhaps Max could become the Jamie Oliver of classical music!"

"Sandy playing the Vivaldi with Joy was a complete delight, as was his playing throughout the evening, and the effect it had on the entire orchestra. He seemed to radiate a sort of fun and sensitivity which was picked up so well by all the players."

"It was a wonderful concert, with a happy, light-hearted atmosphere, and I thought both the Baillies were tremendous – AND that little girl too!"

"The concert last night was absolutely lovely and the Arvo Pärt was so beautiful…the Marryat musicians played with such intensity and feeling."

"Another outstanding success last Friday! This is the most stimulating of musical experiences ever."

"The standard of playing was uniformly excellent, not just in the violins, but noticeably, in the violas and cellos too. Of course with such an inspirational figure at the helm, the individual players were able to lift themselves on to an altogether higher plane, and this came across to those of us fortunate enough to have been in the audience…a wonderful concert."

"It was wonderful to hear the orchestra…it seems such a unique environment, enabling immense possibilities and exciting results…a fantastic concert."

"Bravo! It was a great pleasure to be in the audience on Friday evening for the concert. The Marryat Players were on top form…."

"What a wonderful evening …the concert with Alexander Baillie was stunning."

"I was astounded at the standard of playing with such a wide age range and I was captivated by the enthusiasm in support of the exceptionally talented musicians. There was not a seat to be had for the late comers."

"Friday was magnificent. The orchestra gets better and better."

"Another superb evening. It really is incredible what has been achieved in such a short time."

"It was an outstanding concert and we should like to purchase a copy of the video when it is available."

"A wonderful evening – all almost out of this world. So much enjoyment given to so many."

"Much impressed with the Marryat achievements."

"A brilliant concert."

"Thank you for including me as a guest at the Marryat Players’ splendid concert."

"It was a wonderful concert on Friday – congratulations – EVERYONE thoroughly enjoyed themselves and it was so nice to meet so many of the performers afterwards."

"Last Friday’s concert was another huge success – a memorable evening. Those young musicians are to be congratulated."

"I thought the standard of playing was amazing."

"A superb concert on Friday night…such an impressive performance."

"Another splendid concert."

"Congratulations to all concerned on yet another brilliant concert. We thought the little 12-year-old cellist was amazing!"

"It was another wonderful concert on Friday night – such enthusiasm and talent among your young musicians…Much looking forward to the next concert!"

 

Comments after the concert at the Great Hall, King's College School, on 29th October 2004

"We cannot say strongly enough how much we enjoy the concerts and how impressed we are with the talent, dedication and sheer brilliance of everyone involved."

"Another wonderful evening… I did so much enjoy the pieces the children performed (seems rather patronising to call them ‘children’ when they are so professional and polished). And I loved Matthias’ introductions to the pieces, he seems such a lovely warm man – no wonder he gets the best out of the children."

"Another exhilarating evening spent in the company of your gifted young musicians who continually give such pleasure to us all."

"What a great success the orchestra is!"

"Wild horses wouldn’t drag us away from Marryat Players concerts!"

"The Marryat Players do fantastic work and we are delighted to support them. You should be very proud of what you have achieved."

"My husband said the last performance was the best concert he’d ever been to!"

"Thank you for the superb concert once again performed by the Marryat Players. I cannot tell you how much our daughter enjoys the experience – from the beginnings in rehearsal to the culmination of the concert."

"Fabulous as always. We do enjoy the concerts so much and you must be proud of the Players and what you have achieved."

"Another wonderful concert – we are delighted to support your marvellous young players once again."

"I look forward to the concerts, as they are always wonderful events full of such good spirit and of course beautiful music."

"I’ve really enjoyed the Marryat Players and thank you for making it so special."

"Another huge success last night!"

"What a glorious evening…such skill, energy and enthusiasm displayed by the Marryat Players."

"Another wonderful concert from those delightful talented youngsters – their enthusiasm is transmitted to the audience all the time."

"Marryat Players goes from strength to strength. Each concert (somehow) is better that the last and I wonder just how much longer things can continue to improve. Well done all concerned."

"A brilliant evening….I think the youngsters played magnificently."

"Thank you for asking me to join the Marryat Players this autumn. I’ve had an absolutely wonderful time and the music has been fun to learn and really rewarding to play as a group."

"Thank you so much for having me during Marryat Players. It was so much fun (as it always is) and I am really looking forward to the next one!"

"Our daughter had a wonderful time last week - the concert was a great success and there was so much of interest. I think Matthias does an amazing job in such a short amount of time – it is a great deal of music to prepare to such a standard."

"The standard of music was exceptional and a great pleasure to listen to. Thank you for enriching all our lives. Our daughter absolutely loves participating in ‘Marryat Players’ both musically and socially."

"That was such a wonderful evening. Many congratulations on all you enable these children to achieve. Our son tells us that he really enjoyed the rehearsals and the concert too."

"It was fantastic – full of energy and enthusiasm and such a high standard. I was very inspired!"

"I just wanted to write and say how much I enjoyed the concert last night. I was so impressed with the standard of the orchestra. The Suk was incredible and it was obvious how much work had gone in."

"We were impressed by the smooth tone quality of the strings, good intonation and technical ability."

"Another marvellous concert! Our congratulations to all the players and thanks to you…"

"Thank you for a wonderful concert. We all enjoyed it a lot and are so impressed by the way those young people can give a performance like that after only 3 ½ days rehearsing! And thank YOU for giving such a great opportunity to young musicians in this area – not only for those who take part but also those (like my children) who come to listen. We look forward to the next one."

"I was most impressed…A truly civilised evening in Wimbledon. I am full of admiration for the initiative to launch the Marryat Players four years ago and hope they will continue to thrive."

"What a wonderful event! I’m hugely impressed with the orchestra."

"We so enjoyed your last concert, as did our friends, who will now become ‘Friends’."

"It was a super evening! We were particularly impressed by the way in which the players captured the different styles of playing needed for the different pieces. I hope to persuade one of my daughters to take up the violin on the strength of it!"

"That was a great evening. The band seems to get yet stronger each time round. Thought the Handel and the Suk came across particularly well."

"First of all congratulations – I think your concerts are absolutely wonderful - so lovely to see young talented people enjoying their music."

"Such professionalism…you must all be very proud of your achievement."

"What a success last night was – as usual. How, I don’t know, but the standard just improves each concert…. The dates are in the diary for next year. April’s concert falls on our wedding anniversary and I couldn’t think of a more enjoyable way to celebrate it."

Comments after the concert at the Great Hall, King's College School,
on 13th July 2004

"Once again what a wonderful concert! The Marryat Players seem to go from strength to strength. I particularly felt that the Mozart was quite superb."

"It was a typically assured and joyous performance from your young band of players. They have the great gift of being able to convey their love and enjoyment of music to every member of the audience…"

"Congratulations on a wonderful concert. It was hard to believe how young the musicians are…."

"The concert was very special and hugely impressive… we were completely overwhelmed by the professionalism of the Players."

"The Marryat Players was again a great success. You have set, and keep, in motion a project of great value…"

"We were amazed at the beauty of your orchestra’s playing. Particularly the Grieg! We understood the very special spirit and achievements of the Marryat Players."

"The concert was another triumph – congratulations…the concert and drinks afterwards have become quite a landmark on the Wimbledon calendar!"

"They were marvellous and so professional. It really was an enjoyable occasion."

"We were struck by the incredibly high standard of the young musicians under Matthias’s fine direction."

"Just want to congratulate you and all your team for another wonderful evening of music and meeting friends."

"The Players were absolutely brilliant."

"We all enjoyed the music enormously and felt all your musicians were having a splendid start before a possible professional life...they certainly looked very happy."

"The concert was wonderful, quite amazing considering the ages of the musicians."

"I thought that this programme was beautiful."

"A great musical delight."

"Yet another wonderful evening. It was as marvellous as ever and the new venue superb."

"May I offer my sincerest congratulations on what you have achieved with the “Marryat Youngsters”. Their standard of performance was far beyond what I had anticipated and a great credit to their teachers. I am already looking forward to their next concert."

"Thank you for another lovely Marryat Players."

"Your capable band of talented young musicians yet again gave great pleasure to those of us at the concert. The Andante Festivo was particularly fine – a striking piece – their obvious enjoyment and enthusiasm was a delight to watch and listen to. Another wonderful evening with the Marryat Players."

"We so enjoyed the concert; they really are excellent."

"Congratulations all round."

"We both greatly enjoyed the concert – what a talented bunch they are."

"Thank you for last night, a wonderful evening – music of such a high standard."

"Congratulations to the Marryat Players for such a superb concert."

"It really was terrific."

"Another triumph for your wonderful players."

"Fabulous concert - well done!"

"What an inspired evening – we enjoyed the whole event enormously."

"It was a wonderful evening of superb music making and we are much looking forward to your next concert in October."

"A really fabulous evening last night….we so enjoyed ourselves, spirited away by the lovely music."




Comments after the concert at the Great Hall, King's College School,
on 7th April 2004

"Another stunning performance by your marvellous Marryat Players. They are unique – not only hugely accomplished but each time your cleverly varied programme seems to inspire ever-higher standards of music making. Their reputation has spread well beyond the confines of Wimbledon..."

"The concert was terrific and it was wonderful to see the audience bursting at the seams…a magnificent achievement…I was really struck by the resonance of the orchestra, really strong bass sound that underpinned the texture and a lot of confident playing going on."

"The concert was a great achievement and I could not have enjoyed it more, even if I had had a seat!"

"The concert was magnificent: I can pay no higher tribute to the orchestra than that I listened exclusively to the music and only subsequently came to wonder at their talent and dedication."

"What a triumph! Hugely enjoyed last night’s performance with the orchestra sounding better than ever before …The Marryat Players is taking on a real life of its own – I can see international tours in a couple of years!"

"The star performer Diana Yukawa was quite unbelievable – in complete control and mastery of her instrument, but the orchestra was no less outstanding, particularly in the second movement…I wonder if the British Council could be interested in sending the entire orchestra to Europe; I don’t think anything like it exists in Germany or France; it would open their eyes how music is alive over here…"

"We absolutely loved listening to those wonderful musicians…a real treat of an evening."

"What a great concert! The Marryat Players is really coming of age…"

"…wonderfully joyous and youthful enthusiasm…"

"Wednesday’s concert was absolutely superb…I just find it amazing that you managed to put it all together in four days – the standard is so high, and all the young people looked as though they were enjoying themselves."

"Just to repeat how enormously impressed we were in the advances that the Marryat Players have made…you have founded, excited and nurtured a unique group of youthful talents who are blossoming like the spring. How lucky they all are and how fortunate Wimbledon is to be able to be a participating audience."

"Thank you very much for letting us into the secret of the Marryat Players. We thoroughly enjoyed the concert last night and were amazed by the talent of the young players."

"What an experience yesterday evening! Having heard about the Marryat Players from the beginning but never before having managed to attend any concert, I was very impressed and surprised by the high standard the orchestra has reached…"

"Congratulations again on the wonderful concert on Wednesday. The Bach was overwhelmingly good – you have done marvels…"

" It is wonderful to hear an impressive performance by such youthful musicians."

"A wonderful concert … those youngsters really do produce the most superb music."

"You have achieved miracles in the standard of your young musicians in a very few years, this reflected no doubt in the ever increasing support you have gathered."

"Yet another superb concert by your lovely talented young players - I always feel truly uplifted at the end of each concert. It is such a joy to see the young so committed and so enjoying their music."

"Congratulations on an amazing achievement…you are doing such important work and I’m full of admiration."

"We were incredibly impressed by the standard of the performance – what amazingly talented and poised children they all are."

"It was a bravura performance!"

"What a super performance…it gets bigger and better every time."

"Congratulations on another brilliant concert. The Marryat Players go from strength to strength and show how well they can perform widely different types of music."

"We enjoyed the marvellous concert and the well-guided motivation of so many talented young people."

"It was wonderful to hear everyone playing with such skill and enthusiasm."

"We were very impressed with the quality of the music last night – it must be such an inspiring experience for those youngsters to play with such a talented soloist and conductor."

"A wonderful evening – the Marryat Players go from strength to strength and you must be delighted with the results. We certainly get enormous enjoyment from their concerts…"

"Congratulations on a most wonderful initiative."

"The Marryat Players always makes me so happy and leaves me reeling with my reflections of joy for ages afterwards!"

 

Comments after the concerts on 31st October and 1st November 2003

“Yet another wonderful performance by the Marryat Players. Your choice of such an interesting and diverse programme was a tremendous success and demonstrated so well the outstanding talents and musical expression of your young performers. It is truly remarkable – not only do they compose and conduct their own music but they also play with ever increasing assurance and panache. We have talked of nothing else since!”

“That was a very fine concert last night. From those arresting opening chords in the Rossini through to the tightness of the rhythmic discipline in Colin’s piece and the glorious and sensitive accompanying in the Mozart that was some real class.”

“Congratulations on your tenth concert, another brilliant performance. It was particularly good this time to have a piece composed and conducted by one of the players and amazing to think that Colin is only 17. On now to the 100th!”

“Wonderful concert last night with rich textures and precise ensemble. A great success! Bravo to Malin – a rare treat to hear Mozart sung to that standard. Colin’s piece is still resonating in my memory …There cannot be many orchestras like yours!”

“A beautiful concert…. I do believe the Marryat Players have a great future.”

“What a wonderful evening! I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed it and how I marvel at this wonderful undertaking. I loved the programme and the children were really outstanding. It was a great privilege to be part of the evening.”

“I particularly enjoyed Colin Alexander’s piece – well constructed and evidence of great potential there.”

“Saturday night was absolutely wonderful. It really was a thrill to hear such talented young playing not just enthusiastically but so well. Malin Christensson sang so well too – surely we’ll see and hear more of her.”

“A wonderful evening. Marryat Players are real professionals.”

“Another excellent performance by the Marryat Players … I enjoyed the entire programme. Colin Alexander’s Circadian Rhythms was full of emotion and drama and Malin Christenssons’s lovely voice was a joy to listen to. Very much looking forward to your next concert.”

“I thought last night’s concert was absolutely fantastic – such professional performances.”

“It was a truly magnificent concert: very inspiring for the audience as well as being extremely impressive…. “

“Another splendid evening last night from your young protégés. We thought that they played splendidly as usual.”

“The Marryat Players were brilliant and very impressive.”

“I would like to say again how much we enjoyed the wonderful concert last weekend. You have established something very special with the Marryat Players.”

“It was wonderful uplifting music – we, the audience, were so lucky to be there.”

“What a wonderful evening. I think the young are remarkable and quite obviously love every moment of it.”

Comments after the Concert at St Mark's Church
on Thursday 17th July 2003

 

"Thank you for a superb evening. The orchestra was inspired and played more beautifully than one could ever expect of such young musicians. Really wonderful."

"Just a note to say that your concert was spellbinding! If you had heard the concert without seeing the players you would have known that these were mature musicians playing faultlessly under a magnificent conductor – it was so absolutely marvellous."

"There wasn’t much to choose between your ‘Peter and the Wolf’ and the one at the Proms!"

"Another wonderful musical evening…(we were) impressed and astonished by the excellence of the young musicians."

"We were hugely impressed by the whole performance and the spirit of the whole event."

"What a wonderful evening! It is a great achievement to encourage the children to produce music to such a standard."

"Another enchanted evening."

"A great triumph! The quality was reflected in the packed church which is a huge tribute to all the effort…put into the Marryat Players."

"A truly remarkable concert."

"We thoroughly enjoyed the concert; we thought the standard of playing was really excellent and the whole performance very moving. Not just for the talent and sheer hard work of the performers but for all the encouragement and nurturing that goes on behind the scenes."

"Another triumph last night!"

"We had a lovely evening last week when listening to the Marryat Players. Their playing was wonderful and so professional. They are all remarkably talented and it is such a joy to come to their concerts."

"It is always a pleasure to see children and students play and on this occasion with such enthusiasm and indeed talent."

"Marvellous concert last night – we all really enjoyed it."

"Another triumph – thank you so much for a wonderful concert."

"We all thoroughly enjoyed it and were most impressed by the poise and talent of those young musicians."

"Congratulations – can’t wait for the next concert."

Comments after the Concert at St Mark's Church
on Monday 7th April 2003

“There were many points in the evening when I was utterly unconscious of age or levels or of skill, and could relax in the presence of high quality music making…. We sat intrigued by the ability of the orchestra to communicate, which is, after all, the whole point of art.”

“It was a pleasure and a privilege to hear the Marryat Players perform so superbly ….they were a very impressive bunch of young musicians and I have nothing but admiration for you all.”

“That was a real triumph….Jamie certainly played miraculously - but those young musicians were, I thought, fantastic…I will always remember it.”

“The Marryat Players have ascended new peaks of professionalism… congratulations!”

“That was another excellent concert on Monday evening! It is such a joy to see all those young players enjoying their music so much and playing with such enthusiasm and talent…many congratulations on achieving such wonderful results.”

“How impressed we were with the performance of the Marryat Players. The programme tested their versatility and I was particularly struck by the brightness with which they played Haydn after the more mellow sound produced earlier.”

“The Marryat Players were tremendous and Jamie Walton played with such passion…it was a remarkable performance – an unforgettable experience - the Marryat Players go from strength to strength. We very much look forward to the next concert.”

“Once again we were tremendously impressed by the professionalism of the Marryat Players. If one shut one’s eyes it was almost impossible to believe they were children.”

“The standard of playing was really incredible and as professional as ever. Each concert seems to exceed the very high standards of the previous one – I don’t know how the chamber orchestra manages it! The choice of music was lovely and what a treat to hear Jamie Walton too….We had a fantastic evening.”

“I have come to see the Marryat Players perform on two previous occasions and have been most impressed with the standard and beauty of their playing. I teach the violin and have around 20 pupils…several of them have been in the past and although they are nowhere near the standard required to join, it is always a great inspiration for them to see young talented musicians.”

“Keep up the good work. You certainly have an amazingly talented group.”

“Another huge success. Everyone seemed so happy…”

“Your concerts go from strength to strength. You will soon have to find a bigger church…I found the opening of the Haydn especially fine, but all through there was a real feeling of musical performance with a powerful sense of direction.”

“I really enjoyed the concert, especially the first movement of the Shostakovich which had a remarkable effect on me…seeing such young people presenting music with real emotional depth is very unusual.”

“It was just great and especially the Dag Wiren sounded very polished….bravo!”

Comments after the concert at St Mark’s Church
on Sunday 27th October 2002