Titanic concert in Colne is a smash hit

Titanic bandmaster Wallace Hartley had been a member of Colne Orchestra before becoming a professional violinist and, at the concert, there was a superb performance by actor and violinist Jonathan Evans-Jones who played the role of Wallace in the 1997 film “Titanic”.

There was a complex new version of the hymn “Nearer, My God, to Thee” in the orchestra’s performance. It was composed by orchestra member Adrienne Fox, and Jonathan played the violin solo. Colne Orpheus Glee Union also took part.

Among the audience there was a relative of Wallace Hartley - his great nephew Kevin Nancarrow, who lives in Accrington. He suffers from cerebral palsy and is in a care home. He enjoyed the concert and meeting Jonathan. “It was a great night,” he said.

The orchestra, conducted by Judith David, opened the evening by playing the National Anthem and the hymn “O God, our Help in Ages Past”.

That was followed by the overture “Zampa” by Ferdinand Herold, which Wallace had played. And as a tribute to Wallace and his band they then played Franz Lehar’s “Gold and Silver Waltz”. They all went down well with the 450 people who packed The Muni.

Orchestra chairman Mr David Foulds welcomed guests including Kevin Nacarrow. He added: “It is 100 years to the day the world was devastated to hear one of the greatest tragedies of all times.”

A violin made in memory of Wallace Hartley was at the performance.

Jonathan and his accompanist Christopher Bevan were introduced by the conductor. Mrs David pointed out Jonathan had played with Colne Orchestra on the 90th anniversary of the Titanic sinking and added: “We are really pleased to have him here.”

The audience was delighted, too, for Jonathan played superbly, as did Christopher. There were pieces by Kriesler, Gluck, Schubert and Heuburger and they proved popular.

Before the interval, the orchestra played Luigini’s “Ballet Egyptien”, and as the programme pointed out, it was enough to remind people of Wilson, Keppel and Betty.

The second half opened with Rossini’s overturn “Italian Girl in Algiers”, and then Colne Orpheus - the oldest choir in England - performed a whole series of things. They, too, pleased the audience. It included things like “Going Home” and a song from the film Jonathan appeared in. They were conducted by Matt Leedam, and Eric Bearsdworth talked to the audience.

Jonathan and Christopher then played again Dvorak, Kreisler, two superb pieces of Elgar and a Brahms “Hungarian Dance” which Wallace had probably played. He concluded with a piece of music from his film, and he and Christopher were given a standing ovation by the audience.

The orchestra then briefly played “Dream of Autumn”, which many Titanic survivors said the band had played as the ship was sinking.

And then there was Adrienne Fox’s version of “Nearer, My God, to Thee” - Titanic 100 - which she conducted. It had smashing sounds, great work by Jonathan and the choir, and proved a big hit with the audience. It concluded with a Last Post. It was a memorable night.