Town Hall
Review: Tara Werner
The Auckland Philharmonia seems to be on a roll in terms of its innovative programming, if last Thursday's concert is anything to go by.
A violin concerto by Shostakovich, a short but elegant piece by Estonian composer Avro Part and a symphony by Schumann was an unusual mix, well away from the tried (or should that be tired) and true.
The gamble paid off on a number of levels. The musicians seemed to enjoy the different diet, the conductor Harth-Bedoya appeared to have a rapport with both orchestra and soloist Martin Chalifour, and the audience also seemed contented with the change.
Having said that, Schumann cannot be considered to be the world's best orchestrator, judging from the Symphony No 2. And the composer's dotted rhythms in opening allegro became repetitive, to say the least.
Nonetheless, the symphony received a solid performance, the woodwind in the adagio being particularly expressive.
In comparison, Shostakovich could never be accused of poor use of orchestral forces. A deeply caring person who hated cant of any kind, the composer was very much on the side of the victim, whether the bombed residents of Dresden or the Jews in the Second World War.
His Violin Concerto No 1 was written as his protest against anti-Semitism in the late 1940s. Soloist Martin Chalifour played a compelling and intensely felt interpretation, with the passacaglia being particularly poignant.
Finally, Avro Part's gentle Festina lente - an elegant gem for strings and harp - received a warm and sympathetic performance.
<I>Perfomance:</I> Auckland Philharmonia
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