Melbourne Reviews

Photo - Garry Heery

Tognetti’s Mozart draws in fans of light classical music with a fresh selection of repertoire, which outshines the dull canon of the classical concert hall. The program educates audiences into little-known pieces by major composers, while providing an outlet for the ensemble’s rich sound and Richard Tognetti’s abilities as a violinist virtuoso and arranger.

W. A. Mozart’s Violin Concerto No.4, K218 and J. Haydn’s Symphony No.46 cater for the conservative listener, slightly challenging with unfamiliar and intriguing choices. Mozart was nineteen when he wrote this violin concerto in D major. Haydn’s B major symphony is a fascinating piece of work, as it is a rare extant example of his essays in this key and is a fine representative of the Sturm und Drang style.

The interpretation of the Mozart concerto demonstrated perfect and communicative melodic phrasing, strong ensemble work and exciting dynamics, adorned by Tognetti’s virtuosity. He stands tall in front of his orchestra. His body is full of energy, yet using only the necessary amount of movement. His face is relaxed, with a gaze acknowledging his partners in music or the audience. A true master at work!

Despite the careful orchestral accompaniment, the violin was lost during the softest passages. Unlike the acoustic of the larger Hamer Hall the musicians had to work with, the acoustics of the Elisabeth Murdoch Hall at the Melbourne Recital Hall would have allowed them to do full justice to this work. The performance of Haydn’s symphony was exciting at the start, where musical contrast dominates the texture, but ended in a boring manner without the pomp of the grand finale resolution typical of most symphonies.

The real musical zest of this concert was the performance of the two string quartet arrangements for chamber orchestra, furnished by Tognetti. F. Schubert’s Quartettsatz, D703 illustrated violent emotions expressed with the utmost refined nobility of sentiment. E. Grieg’s Quartet in G minor allowed the ensemble to display all possible rich sonorities and dynamics though the enchanting combination of Grieg’s Norwegian folk idiom and subtle musical thought. The arrangement not only captures the passion and intricacies of the music but enhances their potent interplay. Both pieces gain expressive power by the rich sonority of orchestral sound and augmented instrumentation contrasts.


Australian Chamber Orchestra presents
Tognetti's Mozart

Richard Tognetti Artistic Director and Lead Violin


Australian Tour

Newcastle City Hall
Wednesday 3 February, 7.30pm
Bookings 02 4929 1977

Illawarra Performing Arts Centre
Thursday 4 February, 7.30pm
Bookings 1800 444 444

Llewellyn Hall, Canberra
Saturday 6 February, 8pm
Bookings 1800 444 444

The Arts Centre, Melbourne
Sunday 7 February, 2.30pm | Monday 8 February, 8pm
Bookings 1300 136 166

Adelaide Town Hall
Tuesday 9 February, 8pm
Bookings 131 246

City Recital Hall, Sydney
Saturday 13 & Tuesday 16 February, 8pm | Wednesday 17 February, 7pm
Bookings 02 8256 2222

QPAC, Brisbane
Monday 15 February, 8pm
Bookings 136 246

Concert Hall Sydney, Opera House
Sunday 22 November, 2.30pm
Bookings 02 9570 7777


Web: www.aco.com.au