Review of Fulltone Orchestra’s ‘Christmas Concert’: “Somewhere in my memory”

London’s Westminster Central Hall hosted this one-night-only event, making a musical tribute to the holiday spirit through carols, film scores, and musical theatre anthems live renditions. Guillermo Nazara shares his views on the show, to let us know if this symphonic treat managed to hit the high notes.

'Twas the weekend before Christmas, a time of wintry joy,
That I ventured into this new show, where magic played no decoy,

You know what? I’m not doing this. In the last month, there have been 4 reviews in rhyme, and I feel as if I’m wasting my time… Darn it… Anyway, what was I going to say? STOP IT NOW! I mean – just wow! … (as prolonged a pause as you could possibly, humanly, and compassionately imagine). Alright, then. As I was trying to explain (careful…), the Westminster Central Hall gave audiences a symphonic bite of the holiday spirit last weekend, with a special performance by the Fulltone Orchestra – featuring a repertoire encompassing some of the most beloved seasonal songs, as well as a few additional treats guaranteed to warm the grinchiest hearts and set the mood for a night of absolute Christmas marvel.

Under the tactful guidance of conductor Anthony Brown, the group regaled audiences with a whimsical, shiver-inducing rendition taking them on a tuneful journey of nostalgia – reconnecting the viewer with that rare, innocent cheerfulness that only the festive period can return, as long as the right buttons (or chords) are hit. Playing with utmost sensitivity and infectious passion, Fulltone’s interpretation excels in colour and sentiment – flaunting such intuitive understanding for the emotional power and narrative direction of every piece. They paint a picture in your mind while leaving an imprint in your soul – and in both cases, the result is almost impeccable. 

There are, however, some minor glitches regarding technique – which, though not really affecting the overall, final feel of the experience, are still noticeable enough. While the phrasing is carried out with absolute flawlessness, the same can’t be said as for the execution of several melodies – with some instruments (particularly in the violin and French horn sections) not performing the lines with sufficient clarity; and occasionally, even playing a few false notes.

Yet, that’s a blemish I’m willing to overlook thanks to the captivating aura they managed to build (and preserve) during the entire evening. A great deal of that achievement is also owed to its two lead singers, soprano Camilla Kerslake and tenor Emmet Cahill. Both boasting magnificent vocal skills, all of their numbers boast flair and command not only on the musical side, but also concerning their acting and, all in all, showmanship qualities.

In that regard, the highest praise goes to Cahill – who, apart from his extraordinary singing prowess, makes the most memorable appearance thanks to his superb hosting abilities. Approaching every piece with refreshing delicacy without restraining the seductive vigour of his voice, his charismatic stage presence makes him the strongest, most enduring element of the performance – endowing every moment with a natural charm that, little by little, ends up stealing the entire show.

A snow-coated fantasia bringing out the spellbinding musical allure of the most whimsical time, the Fulltone Orchestra’s Christmas Concert blended the usual sparkle of a live performance with the wondrous excitement of the holiday season. Placing talent over craftsmanship, their anyhow solid rendition comes as a perfect example of what actual art is all about. As Beethoven once put it, “to play a wrong note is insignificant; to play without passion is inexcusable”. In that aspect, there’s nothing to worry about.

The Fulltone Orchestra is currently on tour across the UK. Tickets and upcoming concerts are available on the following link.

By Guillermo Nazara