"Amicable Society Orchestra creat[ed] an arresting range of continuo colours to complement all the dramatic activity."

Barber Opera, April 2023 (Midlands Music Reviews)

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"a brisk, energetic reading, creating a tight ensemble between the fine players of the Musical and Amicable Society Orchestra"

Barber Opera, April 2023 (Reviews Gate)

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"The small orchestra of strings, theorbo and harpsichord are conducted by Andrew Kirkman with a buoyant rhythmic impetus that maintains the work’s momentum, and a silvery elegance which sympathetically supports the voices. It gives the drama a compellingly nimble pace"

Barber Opera, April 2023 (Classical Source)

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St. John The Baptist, Leicester, December 2012

Leicester Mercury - Neil Crutchley

This was another fine concert from the members of the Musical and Amicable Society, whose musicianship, programming and presentation never fail to delight.

Each of the eight players in this concert made an impressive contribution to the overall performance. The balance of sound was integrated and homogenous. Refinement and vitality combined with a strong sense of purpose and an infectious delight in the music performed.

In the candle-lit setting of St. John’s, we began with Corelli’s Concerto Concerto Grosso No.4 Op. 6, in an account that combined clarity and detail and ended with a buoyant and expressive performance of Bach’s Double Violin Concerto with Kelly McCusker and Miranda Walton as soloists.

In between came Telemann’s Concerto for two Violas “sweetly” played as the composer directs by soloists Kate Fawcett and Alexandria Lawrence. Then the surprisingly characterful and adventurous Concerto Grosso No.3 by the Rev. Richard Mudge, an elegant concerto for Harpsichord by Graun with exquisite instrumental detail and superb solo playing from Martin Perkins and a characteristically rhythmic and vibrant Concerto for 2 violins and cello by Vivaldi.

 

Lichfield Cathedral, December 2012

Birmingham Post

"And throughout, Musical and Amicable Society reminded us what a really first-rate period-instrument band sounds like, with brilliantly sure-footed trumpets and an oboe section as earthy and delicious as a well-ripened Shropshire Blue."