The Dunedin Symphony Orchestra presented a very satisfying programme of popular Romantic repertoire on Saturday evening in the Dunedin Town Hall, with James Judd conducting and guest performer international violinist Amalia Hall.
The programme began with The Land of the Mountain and the Flood — a vigorous, high-spirited concert overture for orchestra, composed by Hamish MacCunn in 1887.
Lots of contrast with distant hunting horns, rhythms of galloping horses and idiomatic Scottish flavours, had made this piece ideal theme music in the 1970s for the Sutherland’s Law television series, which was no doubt recalled by many older audience members.
Mendelssohn’s E Minor Violin Concerto with New Zealand violinist Hall was an outstanding highlight — a brilliant performance by both orchestra and soloist.
Hall plays with immaculate intonation, lithe spirited bowing and a youthful exuberance, for which Judd worked his orchestra hard and urgently to match and maintain her vigorous tempo, especially for the final Molto Vivace.
The contrasting previous Andante movement highlighted the serenity and beauty of thematic passages, and the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra achieved an intense fabric of gentle lyricism and tranquillity for their soloist.
Hall acknowledged audience acclamation with several returns to the stage, and a Bach Partita — which was unbelievably swift and nimble.
Dvorak’s Symphony No 8 was a four-movement work of unmistakably Czech character, crammed with every imaginable nuance, from spirited Bohemian dances to peaceful melodic woodland lyricism.
Brass fanfares, excellent woodwind highlights, and accented beautifully flowing string waltz passages highlighted the delivery, as Judd drew the very best from his players in a confident multicoloured performance.
The large audience showed appreciation with prolonged applause and well-deserved shouts of "Bravo".
