A moderate audience braved the cold and a rugby test to embark on a fascinating and wide-ranging musical journey on Saturday, courtesy of Dunedin Symphony Orchestra.
Conducted by principal guest conductor James Judd and featuring soloists Alastair Fraser (taonga puoro), Vesa-Matti Leppanen (violin), and Jonathan Lemalu (bass), the "Journeys" concert for Puaka Matariki was full of contrasts and beauty.
The concert opened with spellbinding work Rerenga by Michael Norris, as taonga puoro specialist Fraser showcased a range of traditional instruments, with subtle, layered support from the orchestra, and live electronics by Norris himself.
NZSO concertmaster Leppanen then stepped up to give a masterful performance of Mozart’s opera-influenced Violin Concerto No. 4 "Turkish". With nimble support from the orchestra, Leppanen’s performance embodied the joyful feel of the piece, complete with a Turkish music-inspired dance.
An enthusiastic welcome greeted opera star Lemalu, in his first home-town performance for several years — a showcase of short German songs by Mahler, accompanied by a responsive DSO.
His powerful bass timbre and control was in full evidence in the first bracket of songs, particularly the tragic Der Tamboursg’sell.
All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable concert. Bravo!
