Concert Review: Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, Auckland Town Hall

Auckland Philharmonia conductor Eckehard Stier. Photo / Supplied

The most focused of Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra's Inspired by Bach concerts placed original Bach alongside symphonic scores by Berg and Mendelssohn that share chorale tunes with the Master.

The presence of music director Eckehard Stier, elegantly swaying to the opening of Bach's Cantata 60, augured well.

Yet, despite generally neat orchestral playing with outstanding oboe contributions, lacklustre soloists were a concern.

Claire Barton was forthright and confident, but the drama of Bach's great soul-searching recitative did not come through in her singing.

Chalium Poppy had a feeling for the style, but notes were not always where they should have been.

Andrew Grenon did not seem at ease, with too many panicky leaps into upper register.

The Graduate Choir's resonant final chorale was a preview of its well-handled florid singing in the later Cantata 80.

This Cantata, a splendid trumpets-and-drums celebration, had soprano Emma Roxburgh impressing more with her musicianship than her vocal tone, and Martin Lee achieving rare poetry on his cor anglais.

The Ein Feste Burg chorale from this Cantata would turn up in Mendelssohn's Reformation Symphony.

While one applauds the curatorial connections being made, this is a terminally dull plod of a work, although the players gave it their best.

The highlight of the evening was provided by Natalia Lomeiko in Berg's Violin Concerto, even if one had to strain to catch her line when the orchestra was in fullest bloom.

Lomeiko seemed to compress a lifetime into this great work, investing each little sigh and waltz in its first movement with its own truth and character.

Review

What: Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.

Where: Auckland Town Hall.