(David Snaith, Yura Litvinenko, Elena Kerimova, Kirsten Sayers & Boris Kerimov)
In general, the ensemble displayed a
pleasing understatedness. (Review by Dr Martin Goldstein)
The Friends of Music recital on June 25,
2019, featured the much-acclaimed KZNPO ensemble, which includes the renowned
Kerimov trio consisting of Elena Kerimova on the violin, Boris Kerimov on the
cello and highly acclaimed local pianist Christopher Duigan along with other
respected instrumentalists, namely David Snaith on the viola, Yura Litvinenko
on the double bass, Kirsten Sayers on the clarinet, Sorin Mircea Osorhean on
the horn and Charl van der Merwe on the bassoon. They performed the Piano
Quintet in A Major, D 667 “The Trout” by Franz Schubert (1797-1828) and the
Septet for Strings and Woodwinds in E-flat, Op. 20 by Ludwig van Beethoven
(1770-1827).
Schubert’s “The Trout” was composed in
1819, during or soon after his visit to the small town of Steyr in Upper
Austria. In the KZNPO Ensemble’s performance of this work, the pianist’s touch
was highly cultivated and he is to be commended on his excellent octave work at
speed in the right hand, which must certainly have been a challenge throughout
much of the work.
While it can be said that each
instrumentalist was truly independent and had an autonomous “voice”, as an
ensemble, they merged well together. It was clear that there was very good
communication between the cellist and violinist couple and also between the
piano and violin in the relevant passages. There was a vivaciousness to the
playing, particularly on the trills and running scale passages, which brought
to life the image of a trout swimming freely in a pond. In general, the
ensemble displayed a pleasing understatedness.
Beethoven’s Septet was finished in the
spring of 1800 and was received with great enthusiasm. Indeed, the audience’s
reception of the KZNPO Ensemble’s performance was no different two hundred
years later. The clarinetist can be described as playing in a jovial, clear and
confident fashion. The interplay between the clarinet and the bassoon was most
pleasing and the ensemble as a whole held together nicely. In the final
movement, Andante con molto alla Marcia - Presto, the horn displayed phenomenal
radiance and the different parts worked well in tandem. The violin’s cadenza in
this movement was the highlight of the concert.
(Left:
Menzi Mngoma)
The Prelude Performer, Menzi Mngoma (tenor),
performed an interesting range of works consisting of La Donna E Mobile, from Rigoletto
by Giuseppe Verdi, You Raise me up by
Rolf Løvland (Secret Garden) and You’ll
Never Walk Alone from Carousel by
Rogers and Hammerstein. It was clear from the outset that he was well trained
and at the same time thoroughly unpretentious. He had a pleasing rich tone and
resonance. In La Donna e Mobile, he
displayed a lovely light intonation and his body language suggested a good
understanding of the Italian dialogue. You’ll
Never Walk Alone was his best number and he displayed wonderful poise and
diction along with an impressive dynamic range and palette of tone colours. He
had great reserve on the long notes and it is clear that he is fully capable of
filling an opera house with his excellent voice. He should be given this opportunity
in the near future. – Dr Martin Goldstein
For more information on all Friends of
Music concerts visit www.friendsofmusic.com or phone 031 266 2257/071 505 1021
(Keith) or email friendsofmusic@webmail.co.za
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