(Conductor
Yasuo Shinozaki)
Orchestra delivers winter warmth. (Review
by A-J Bethke)
The 3rd concert of the KZN
Philharmonic Orchestra’s World Symphony Season conducted by Yasuo Shinozaki
took place on June 13, 2019.
Mozart’s Overture to Idomeneo (K. 366) was an interesting choice to open the concert,
most particularly because of its subdued ending which is designed to lead
directly into Act One. The piece exudes charm, vitality, characteristic
woodwind writing and the numerous instances of so-called Mannheim Rocket (rapid
upward scale passages made popular by the Mannheim Orchestra in the 18th
century). The orchestra gave a spirited performance of the work, but the clear
textures and lightness of touch this music requires were often clouded by a
more Romantic style of playing.
Sodi Braide’s poise and controlled, but
expressive, technique were well matched to Mozart’s Piano Concert no. 23 (K
488). His intimate style of performance captivated the audience from the beginning,
inviting them into a rarefied world of cultivated opulence. Braide’s attention
to interpretive detail meant that the Classical architecture of the piece came
to the fore – a style characterized by balance and tasteful exuberance.
(Sodi
Braide)
Particularly noteworthy was the cantabile
sound he coaxed out of the piano which matched the lilting phrase-ends. This
was not a performance characterized by keyboard fireworks, but rather by
refinement, balance and nobility.
Braide’s choice of encore (a piano
arrangement of Bach’s Jesu, joy of man’s
desiring) seemed to embody his desire to create sublime music rather than
just bravura. While the soloist was exceptional, there were times that the
orchestra sounded slightly too overbearing. The horns also seemed to intrude on
the texture several times too often.
Tchaikovsky’s 1st Symphony, op. 13, was a
good choice for a chilly winter’s evening. There are moments in all the
movements where the music seems to conjure up images of sunlight sparkling
through icicles. Consider the opening of the first movement. One can almost
sense the day dreaming which is elicited by clear winter skies while icy winds
nip at your ears. The programme notes suggested that the work is fairly dark in
character (certainly in comparison with the ‘Polish’ Symphony), and yet
Shinozaki brought a warmth to the work which endeared it to the audience.
Despite being Tchaikovsky’s first attempt at a symphonic work, it displays many
of the tell-tale signs of his unique orchestral voice: regular octave passages
for the strings, numerous pizzicato passages, and thrilling build ups.
Shinozaki is clearly a master at bringing
late Romantic works to life by allowing them to imbibe an energy and warmth.
The orchestra responded well to his leadership and gave a thrilling rendering
of the work as a whole. The Adagio was particularly sublime, drawing a
collective gasp of appreciation from the audience upon its conclusion. The
strength of the finale almost propelled everyone to their feet at the end! A
breathtaking reading. - A-J Bethke
The
fourth and final concert of the season takes place next week, Thursday June 20,
2019, at 19h30 in the Durban City Hall. To link direct to the KZN
Philharmonic’s website click on the orchestra’s banner advert on the top of the
page or visit kznphil.org.za
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