An excellent programme delivered with concentrated and cohesive playing by an ensemble from the NZSO led with an admirable intelligence and lack of pretension was applauded with enthusiasm by the audience at the Regent Theatre last night.
Kenneth Young's Portrait set the scene for the first half. This is a lyric and absorbing exploration of sounds from the sparseness of exposed high solo violin and harmonic notes from the cello accompanied by single notes from the harp through to the merest suggestion of lush Romanticism before returning to simple, effective devices including the submerged cymbal and bow on metal.
Portrait is an intriguingly original and pleasing work which led easily to Toru Takemitsu's Ame no ki (Rain Tree) for percussion instruments - marimba, vibraphone and crotales.
Effective use of lighting, being either on or off the performers instruments, highlighted the sound and allowed the listeners to immerse themselves in the subtly changing rhythmic patterns and that all-important silence between the sounds. Arvo Parts Fratres provided a more classical sound.
Yet here too the emphasis is on pattern and sonority, the depths of understanding which come from speaking gently with respect for every tone.
While the first half of this concert was remarkable for the sensitivity of its works, the second half was remarkable for its sense of fun, energy and wit.
Rodion Shchedrin's Carmen Suite for Strings and Percusssion reinvents this not-so-tired classic. While the humming chorus and the kazoos, the exaggerated glissandos are welcome examples of a composer brave enough not to take himself too seriously, beautiful lines written for the viola, cello, and violin as well as the percussion provide a nice balance.
This concert was distinguished initially by its excitingly innovative programming and under the inspired leadership of Vesa-Matti Leppanen, the successful communication between all soloists and ensemble.
NZSO
Regent Theatre
Tuesday, April 3
- Written by Marian Poole.
