Dunedin Symphony
Orchestra
King’s & Queen’s PAC
Saturday, August 13
Reviewed by Brenda Harwood
A stunning programme of adventurous music, from the Baroque era to the modern day, enthralled a large audience at Saturday’s Dunedin Symphony Orchestra matinee series concert Crouching Tiger.
Under the baton of Umberto Clerici, the DSO was nimble, responsive, and clearly enjoying the challenge of performing some remarkable music.
The fun began with Heinrich Biber’s extraordinary Battalia a 10, an experimental work in eight short movements, that was composed in 1673, but could have been created in the 20th century.
The orchestra employed a range of unusual techniques, from playing eight different tunes all at the same time to using paper buzzing against the bass string, in this enjoyable, revolutionary work.
It was the perfect palate cleanser for the concert’s centrepiece, Tan Dun’s Crouching Tiger Concerto, performed with rock star panache by New Zealand cello virtuoso Ashley Brown.
Using western classical instruments, with a row of standing percussionists at the back, the orchestra gave sterling support to Brown's spellbinding performance of this complex work.
Rapturous applause for a truly impressive performance earned the audience an encore of Saint-Saens’ The Swan, from Carnival of the Animals.
Such a fabulous first half was a hard act to follow, but Clerici and the DSO lifted themselves to give a spirited performance of Beethoven’s joyous Symphony No. 4.
With its variety, passion, and impressive performances, the Crouching Tiger concert was a triumph throughout. Bravo.
