(Joana Frankel)
(Reviews from the artSMart team currently in Grahamstown
at the 2015 National Arts Festival)
KZN Philharmonic
symphony concert takes National Arts Festival by storm. (Review by Keith
Millar)
It was a satisfying
feeling last night to be a KZN boy, and to bask in some reflected glory, as
“our” orchestra took the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown by storm as they
produced a performance which will live long in the memory.
This is the fifth consecutive
year that the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra has graced the festival.
During that time, they have made a huge contribution to the development and
growth of the classical music component of the event.
The Symphony
Concert this year started with a composition by Cape Town based South African
Composer Hedrick Hofmeyer. Originally written for solo piano the Preludio e Umsindo was updated for full
orchestra in 2007.
While symphonic in
structure, this work is heavily influenced by traditional African music.The
orchestra produced a very pleasing performance of this composition and it
proved to be a rousing start to the evening.
The highlight of
the concert was without doubt the Violin Concerto in D Major, Op 35 by Piotrilyich
Tchaikovsky. This beautiful composition is one of the most important works for
the violin in the history of Romantic music. It is also regarded as one of the
most technically difficult works to perform.
This, however, was
no problem for soloist Joana Frankel as she showed prodigious technical ability
and consummate musicality as she performed this wonderful work with flawless
and breathtaking skill and beauty. It was absolutely sublime.
The orchestra
produced an inspired performance under the baton of Bernhard Gueller in support
of this virtuoso performance.
It was an intense
and emotional experience for the audience.One can only say that the KZNPO is
blessed to have an artist of quality of Joanna Frankel as its concertmaster.
The final work on
the programme was Antonín Dvořák’s Symphony No 8, in G major, Op. 88. It is a
cheerful and lyrical composition and is characterised by its variable moods,
with some very dramatic moments. The orchestra was in fine form for this work
and delivered a brilliant performance.
Conductor Bernhard
Gueller has excellent rapport with the orchestra. They respond well to his
guidance and the result is a musical experience to be savoured.
The Guy Butler
Theatre at the Settlers Monument in Grahamstown was filled to capacity for this
concert. The enthusiastic audience spontaneously broke into applause at every
opportunity. While this can be disruptive for the performers at times, I think
they deserved every display of appreciation and support they received.
This Symphony
Concert again confirmed the KZNPO as the premier orchestra on the African continent’
and I am sure that this performance will stand as the number one event of the
festival in 2015. KZN can be truly proud of their orchestra. – Keith Millar
(For more information on the National Arts Festival click
on the banner advert at the top of this page or visit www.nationalartsfestival.co.za)
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