(Above: Jayson Gillham & Michal Dworzynski)
Another splendid concert by the KZNPO on Thursday evening! (Review by Barbara Trofimczyk)
Durban music lovers must be encouraged to attend these excellent concerts so as not to miss the opportunity of hearing eminent international artists, as was the case on this occasion.
Thursday's concert, the second in the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra's four-concert summer series, focused on music of the 'romantic' era with two well-known and often performed works, Grieg's Piano Concerto op16 in A minor, and Symphony No 1 op 68 in C minor by Brahms.
As before, these romantic scores required an augmented orchestra, and it was indeed, a superb symphonic sound that emanated from the Playhouse stage.
The Classical concept of concertos in the 18th century of solo versus orchestra within the constraints of formal balance, was replaced in the romantic era by a greater focus on solo virtuosity. Beautiful melodies are interspersed with exciting cadenza-like passages, and, in a most original way, Grieg provided the soloist with an opportunity to explore the piano's varied range of textures from beautiful melodic lyricism to exciting passages of technical display.
Internationally-praised Australian-British pianist, Jayson Gillham, revelled in this opportunity, giving us a superb rendering of this wonderful concerto. Equally beautiful was his encore: most appropriately a Nocturne by Grieg.
Symphony No1 by Brahms played after interval, opened dramatically with a striking pronouncement by full orchestra, full of tension with persistent beating timpani. Written within the traditional formal structures of the time it is essentially romantic in content with the most wonderfully original scoring and variety of instrumental sonorities.
Internationally-acclaimed conductor, Michal Dworzynski, coaxed a deeply satisfying performance of this great work from the KZNPO, choosing the correct tempi throughout, and ensuring perfect balance in the orchestra. What a pleasure!
Standing ovations demonstrated the audience's obvious appreciation and enjoyment of this concert. - Barbara Trofimczyk
The next concerts in the KZN
Philharmonic’s 2022 Spring Season will take place on October 20 and 27, 2022 in
the Playhouse Opera at 19h00. Season tickets, and bookings for individual
concerts, are available at Quicket outlets. For more information call 031-369
9438, email bookings@kznphil.org.za or visit www.kznphil.org.za
To link directly to the orchestra’s
website, click on the advert on the top right-hand side of this article
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