Spectacular display of technical brilliance never fails to impress but when combined with a deep musical sensitivity, the music lifts to another level. Evgeny Konnov's performance of Rachmaninov's concerto was complete in every respect. (Review by Barbara Trofimczyk)
The second concert in the KZN Philharmonic’s
Early Spring Season took place in the Playhouse Opera on August 31, 2023.
Programme: Rossini - William Tell Overture; Schubert - Third Symphony in D Major and Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No 3
Conductor: Claudia Platana\
Soloist: - Evgeny Konnor (piano)
It is customary in symphony concerts to include a concerto item in the programme, and while many very accomplished soloists have performed in the past with our orchestra, occasionally one stands out as exceptional.
Thursday evening's soloist, the young award-winning pianist, Evgeny Konnov is one such soloist.
Concerto virtuosity became a popular trend in the 19th century, composers and performers frequently one and the same person.
Spectacular display of technical brilliance never fails to impress but when combined with a deep musical sensitivity, the music lifts to another level. Evgeny Konnov's performance of Rachmaninov's concerto was complete in every respect. The quiet opening piano solo of bare octaves was exquisitely played, and all virtuoso passages were fluid and musical. The encore, Carmen Fantasy which illustrated Konnov's superb technical prowess, received a well-earned standing ovation.
This wasn't the only item of excellence on the programme. Rossini's William Tell Overture provided many opportunities for all sections of the orchestra to excel, from the beautifully played cello solo by Boris Kerimov backed by expressive ensemble playing by the low strings, to the delightful tossing of tunes from one solo woodwind to the other, all well co-ordinated by the conductor, Claudia Petane, and finally the well-known romp at the end (perhaps a shade too fast in this performance) it was a stirring opening item.
Schubert's third symphony, the work of a talented teenager, somewhat classical in character and texture with hints of the later master, was the least effective item on the programme. - Barbara Trofimczyk
The last concert in the Early Spring Season takes place on Thursday, September 7 in the Playhouse Opera. Tickets available at Quicket.
For more information on the KZNPO click on the advert at the top right-hand side of this article
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