Frank
Cramer conducts KZNPO's last minute change
of programme. (Review by Michael Green)
A mysterious last-minute change of
programme caused much puzzlement and speculation at the final concert of the
KZN Philharmonic Orchestra’s spring season in the Durban City Hall.
The programme was to have consisted mainly
of Carl Orff’s hour-long choral work Carmina
Burana. Two days before the event, the orchestra sent out an e-mail saying
that this would be replaced by Dvorak’s New World Symphony. Not everybody is on
the orchestra’s e-mailing list, and many customers arrived at the City Hall
expecting to hear Carmina Burana.
In a speech from the stage about other
matters the orchestra’s chief executive, Bongani Tembe, said briefly that the
programme had been changed because of “the indisposition of the scheduled
conductor”. This was Tibor Boganyi, a Hungarian who had conducted the two
previous concerts to much acclaim.
However, Carmina Burana was to have involved two distinguished vocal
soloists and a choir of about 100 singers. The work has been performed many
times in South Africa and it is hard to believe that no other conductor could
be found to take over the baton at short notice because of Tibor Boganyi’s
“indisposition”.
Ah well, with the German conductor Frank
Cramer on the podium the revised programme was a great success. Cramer
has an imposing international CV which suggests that he is probably about 50
years old, but he looks younger. He is a fairly restrained conductor, not given
to extravagant gestures, but his steady beat and economical movements drew a
fine response from the players in three orchestral showpieces.
The concert opened with Ottorino Respighi’s
attractively atmospheric Fountains of
Rome, written in 1816. Then came Ravel’s celebrated Bolero. Not everybody loves its hypnotic repetition, but it is one
of the most remarkable pieces in the concert repertory. The orchestra¸ at its
full complement of 70 players, gave a brilliant performance, to the delight of
the audience.
Finally Dvorak’s From the New World, one of the great masterworks, was delivered
with the enthusiasm and affection it deserves. A glowing interpretation was
acknowledged in a prolonged ovation at the end. - Michael Green
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