KZNPO WINTER SYMPHONY CONCERT #2: REVIEW

 

Pianist and Conductor, both artists of top international repute, together with the greatly augmented KZNPO, presented this programme of romantic favourites in truly fine fashion. (Review by Barbara Trofimczyk)

The KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra’s second concert in the current series held at the Playhouse Opera on June 15 featured:

Smetana - Moldau  :  Rachmaninoff - Paganini Rhapsody 

Tchaikovsky Symphony No 4 

Conductor - Yasuo Shinozaki

Piano soloist - Emanuil Ivanov

 

Good attendance at the KZNPO's Thursday evening Symphony Concert was once again gratifying.

Pianist and conductor, both artists of top international repute, together with the greatly augmented KZNPO, presented this programme of romantic favourites in truly fine fashion.

All three works made full use of the large orchestra, complete with the extended ''Wagnarian" brass section.

This worked well in Smetana's wonderfully descriptive Symphonic Poem, Moldau, especially at moments of climax, and played an important role as equal partner to the piano soloist in the Rachmaninoff Rhapsody. It was in fact a necessity for the interpretation of the Tchaikovsky Symphony.

The Rachmaninoff's Paganini Variations, concerto-like due to the prominent use of the solo piano, is distinctly rhapsodic, freely changing the tempi and exploring the many possible characterisations of the simple theme, and although the orchestra plays a significant role, it is the mesmerising virtuosity of the soloist that keeps one riveted!

Fast passages of fluent finger dexterity and also some slow, expressive melodies (including the famous 'tune' popularised by many transcriptions!) provide ample opportunity for the soloist to demonstrate technical and musical mastery, and Emanuil Ivanov certainly rose to the occasion in his stunning performance of this work.

The Tchaikovsky Symphony is in effect a virtuoso orchestral masterpiece, and in the hands of a fine conductor such as we had in Yasuo Shinozaki, its power to move the emotions, and its wonderful orchestral scoring, is what has made it one of the most loved symphonies of the high romantic era. The audience gave the orchestra and conductor a spontaneous standing ovation! - Barbara Trofimczyk

For more information contact 031 369 9438 or email info@kznphil.org.za

NB: The third concert in this series will take place next week (June 22) in the Playhouse Opera. For more information, click on the KZNPO advert at the top right-hand of this page