(The
Fidelio Trio: Mary Dullea, Adi Tal & Darragh Morgan)
An all-Beethoven concert. What more could
lovers of classical music ask for? (Review by Keith Millar)
An all-Beethoven concert. What more could
lovers of classical music ask for?
Which is why it was a bit of a surprise
that only a moderate crowd turned up for this concert given by the KZN
Philharmonic Orchestra at the Durban City Hall last night.
What those who did attend were treated to,
was a dazzling performance by a superlative orchestra which was under the
leadership on the night of the ebullient Israeli-born conductor Daniel Boico.
Boico is a regular visitor to our shores
and he works very well with the KZNPO. This was particularly the case last
night where together they extracted every nuance and subtlety from the music
and ensured that Beethoven was delivered with all the drama, passion and
gorgeousness one hopes for from the works of the master.
Topping the bill for this concert was the
Fidelio Trio playing Beethoven’s Concert for Violin, Violincello and Piano in C
major, Op 56.
Leader of the viirtuosic Fidelio Trio is
violinist Darragh Morgan who was the Concertmaster of the KZNPO in 2004 as well
as Director of Durban’s Baroque 2000 ensemble. The pianist is his wife Mary
Dullea and the cellist is Israeli, Adi Tal.
This highly-acclaimed trio put in a
sensitive and skilful performance of this rather thoughtful and profound work
from a composer better-known for the power and drama of his compositions. It
was a rather unusual experience hearing three soloists rather than the more
customary one.
My only quibble is that Tal did not
generate very much volume from her cello and at times it was difficult to hear
what she was playing.
The concert opened with Beethoven’s
Coriolan Overture, Op 62 in c minor. This is one of Beethoven’s more popular
and frequently played works.
The overture was not written for
Shakespeare’s play Coriolanus as is
often assumed, but rather composed for Heinrich von Collin’s lesser known play Corilan. It is about a banished Roman
General, Coriolanus, who leads an army to overthrow Rome. His bid is
unsuccessful and he loses his life in the process.
It is a vibrant and graphic work which the
orchestra delivered with considerable style.
Completing the programme for the evening
was Beethoven’s Symphony No.2 in D major, Op 36. It is an inspiring work, full
of grandeur, the love of life, splendour and energy.
It is in complete contrast to Beethoven’s
private circumstances at the time he composed the work. He was facing
considerable personal and financial worries, as well as the early onset of
deafness. He was, in fact, on the verge of suicide.
That he wrote such a vibrant work rather
than write a lament over his misfortune is a huge testimony to the love and
dedication he felt for his art. – Keith Millar
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