(Overall it was a most enjoyable concert. Review by Barbara
Trofimczyk)
Conductor – Ewa Strusinska
Soloist – Emily Sun (violin)
Thursday’s concert was the first of two in the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra’s Early Spring Season; only two concerts this time, so as not to clash with the performance the following week (Friday September 6) by the visiting ‘Moscow Soloist Ensemble’.
Schumann’s well-known Carnival opened the programme in the Playhouse Opera. Originally written for piano solo, its dance rhythms and descriptive references made it a good candidate for ballet music, and several composers were commissioned to orchestrate it. The shortened version by Ravel made an interesting light-hearted start to the concert.
Samuel Barber’s ‘Violin Concerto’ is surprisingly not often performed, as it is beautifully conceived for the violin. In the first movement, the melodic textures of the main theme, flow lyrically across the middle range of the violin. Although not a “singable” tune as such, it is distinctive enough to be easily recognised as the music explores the full range of the violin. The second movement is deeply expressive, the violin sharing melodic ideas with solo wood-winds or brass, and the idyllic mood occasionally interrupted by an outburst of emotion from the full orchestra. In the Finale, an unrelenting ‘moto perpetuo’ by the soloist, provides a release of emotional energy, and an opportunity for the kind of virtuoso display one expects in a concerto. Emily Sun’s performance did full justice to this beautiful concerto.
Beethoven’s 7th symphony was once dubbed the ‘apotheosis of the song’. Within the traditional symphonic norms of the time, this symphony does indeed possess a ‘tunefulness’, well-captured by the orchestra under the baton of Ewa Strusinska. Her choice of tempi was mostly perfect, but it has to be said that the Finale was too fast for comfort! At breakneck speed a relatively small group of strings cannot hope to project their fast runs over the backdrop of a tutti orchestra of winds, brass and percussion. They were at times virtually inaudible! While it was indeed an exciting performance, it is possible to create the same energy at a less hectic speed!
Overall it was a most enjoyable concert.
An interesting point of note, but of no particular musical significance, is the fact that for both concerts this season the respective conductors and soloists are women! - Barbara Trofimczyk
To link directly to the KZNPO's website, click on the KZNPO advert to the top right of this review.
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