Having grown up watching and listening to WASO, Northern Lights
was a welcome return after not hearing them for a number of years.
Three varied pieces created a diverse and enjoyable concert showcasing
the orchestras’ skill as a leading state orchestra.
WASO's classic series is music from the core classical repertoire; although I confess I only recognized the Dvorak piece. This concert, the first in the 2008 Classics Series was the Australian debut of Norwegian conductor Arild Remmereit.His energetic and passionate conducting was enjoyable to watch.
WASO have rearranged their layout since I last saw them.The
double basses now sit behind the first violins and cellos, and I
noticed that for this event, no sound barriers were used between the
horns and the rest of the orchestra.I was more impressed
then, at the orchestras’ ability to bring the sound down almost to
nothing then build it again to fortissimo, ably conducted by Remmereit.
The first piece was titled Isle of Bliss by Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara.It was a short twentieth century piece full of pathos and emotion. Rautavaara
states that the fantasia is based on the themes around a ‘peaceful
island haven’. The orchestration called for a reduced horns and
percussion / timpani section, with the melody mainly in the strings.It
began in a cheery fashion, but I found it full of sentiment, although I
had trouble following the themes as it chopped and changed.
Carl Nielsen’sConcerto for Clarinet and Orchestra was a delight to listen to. World renowned clarinetist Dimitri Ashkenazy brought so much energy and enthusiasm to the piece, moving with the music almost to the point of dancing.In a break from normal orchestra etiquette, he began by introducing the piece and explaining that the musician Nielsen
wrote it for suffered from bipolar disorder. In effect, Nielsen wrote
this into the piece, and the audience was treated to moments of great
serenity closely followed by wild passages as the clarinet raced up and
down the octaves.Ashkenazy's skill was
highlighted in the virtuoso passages and it was his interaction with
the unusual use of snare drum that I found particularly enjoyable. My
only negative comment was that the snare at times overruled the fine
clarinet sound - and I was sitting furthest away from it.
For me, the highlight of the night was the orchestras Symphony No.7 by Antonin Dvorak.
First performed in 1885 in London, No. 7 is a dark, powerful and solemn
piece. It is the only symphony he was commissioned to write and it is
by far his most ‘tragic’ piece.Dvorak stated that his symphony “must be capable of stirring the world, and may God grant that it will”.And indeed it does, at least in this fine performance from WASO.
The
piece in D Minor begins with a ominous three note pattern and it is
these first bars of music that return time and time again throughout
the piece. During the second movement there were pockets
of calm serenity where various wind instruments highlighted short,
melodic subjects.
The
final movement of the symphony crescendos repeatedly, almost march
like, showcasing the tight control and skill of the orchestra, before
ending in a more elated major mood. With all its darkness and sadness, it was a wonderfully poignant piece to end the evening.
West Australian Symphony Orchestra presents Northern Lights
Isle of BlissRautavaara Concerto for Clarinet and OrchestraNielsen Symphony No.7Dvorak
Arild Remmereit Conductor Dimitri Ashkenazy Clarinet
Venue: Perth Concert Hall
Dates/Times: 8pm, Friday 14 & Saturday 15 March Tickets: $20.00 - $73.00 Bookings: WASO on 9326 0000 or www.waso.com.au
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