Brahmissimo!
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Conductor – PIetari Inkinen with soloists. Michael Fowler Centre 12 –18 October 2011
Reviewed by Garth Wilshere
Music Director Pietari Inkinen’s interpretations of these works was pretty “straight”, with tempi often on the slow side and entries to the concertos and symphonies a little short of bite and presence.
The playing though of the NZSO throughout was outstanding with lovely weight in the strings, and beautifully sensitive brass and winds.
His rather laid-back approach worked best for symphonies One and Four but less so for Two and Three although his orchestral balances and revealing of inner detail was in each impressive.
The European seating with double basses to his left gave clarity and separation and with the new German trombones and excellent principal horn playing of guest Samuel Jacobs and all the winds, the sound was right.
Diedre Irons in the first concert was strong in the Piano Concert No. 2, though a little heavy in places for me and a few blemishes aside.
Michael Houstoun captured both the poetry and power in a fine performance of the Piano Concerto No. 1 in the 3rd concert
Russian violinist Mikhail Ovrutsky with his rather light silvery tone was a touch under-projected but played the Violin Concerto with expressive feeling and the contribution from oboe was glorious in the Adagio.
Paired with NZSO Principal Cello, the outstanding Andrew Joyce, in the Concerto for Violin and Cello, Ovrutsky was an ideal partner in an engaging performance.
The two overtures performed in the series – the “Tragic Overture” and The “Academic Festival Overture” were excellently played but suffered a little from Inkinen’s approach, with the big “Gaudeamus igitur” theme in the latter muted rather than celebratory and boisterous.
Audience numbers were disappointing but their response at each concert was rousing.
Have Your Say
2 Comments
Bella Davidovich at 12:22 p.m. on 19 October said
We are not big Brahms fans, as performances these days are mostly heavy-handed, and turgid, so we attempted to watch the podcasts online. Very disappointing quality in sound, Radio new Zealand announcers robotic, and dull, but most disconcerting the bad camerawork. One camera spent at least 40 mins showing the backs of Deirdre irons, and Michael Houston. NZSO should engage professional directors to make use of the new technology. Look at what the BBC Proms do, and Berlin Philharmonic Digital Concert Hall - magnificent filming.
Michael Gibson at 1:26 p.m. on 19 October said
The series was an absolute triumph for the players of the NZSO.