Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra's Tall Tales was a mighty celebration with music to match, deftly pairing Zoltan Kodaly's Hary Janos with John Adams' recent Scheherazade 2 — both based on the telling of tales and calling
Music review: Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra at the Auckland Town Hall
William Dart
Jeno Lisztes gave the APO's new cimbalom a fascinating workout. Photo / Supplied
![Clara-Jumi Kang took on an unsparingly virtuosic solo part. Photo / Supplied](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/L4HQU62UKE2E4HJWMTEOV2UC2I.jpg?auth=c7bb6005939b1de8ce66fbd3f4bbae20150bb8326c6085a67877f23905e0ebb7&width=16&height=19&quality=70&smart=true)
The American composer describes it as a dramatic symphony for violin and orchestra, and on this night its unsparingly virtuosic solo part was taken by Clara-Jumi Kang, whose 1708 Stradivarius eloquently symbolised the struggles of a woman against orchestral forces intent on suppressing her.
The APO was certainly a force to contend with, impressing in delicate details and, when required, almost brutal power. Conductor Varga took special care in moulding the subtle rhythmic play within intricate textures, gently reminding us of Adams' minimalist past.
Kang more than held her own in this massive 50-minute confrontation, whether sparring with the orchestra in gnarly outbursts or imbuing its many long flights of lyricism with the strength and inevitability they demand.