Power from student orchestra
Garth Wilshere
New Zealand School of Music Orchestra, In Remembrance, Soloists with Conductor – Ken Young, Wellington Town Hall, September 29. Reviewed by Garth Wilshere.
THIS Jewish New Year concert on the anniversary of the Babi Yar massacre by the Nazis in Kiev comprised a selection of commemorative works.
For such an impressive and significant concert it was disappointing that the audience numbers were small.
Although named The New Zealand School of Music Orchestra it cannot be considered a “student orchestra.” There were many guest professional players in the ranks in significant sections and the playing under conductor Kenneth Young was disciplined and fine.
Anthony Ritchie’s Remembering Parihaka, a New Zealand commemorative work, refers to the Taranaki land confiscation turmoil of 1851, and still resonates with its affecting power and resolute acceptance.
Ernest Bloch’s Schelomo reflected on the abject horrors of WW1, a deeply moving work which received a powerful evocation in Inbal Megiddo’s intense cello solos backed by rich intensity from the orchestra under Young.
Psathas’s Millennium Fanfare Luminous though interesting in its rippling minimalist style, seemed out of place.
Violist Donald Maurice has been the champion of Boris Pigovat’s Requiem: The Holocaust giving its first New Zealand performances with the Vector Wellington Orchestra two years ago. It was moving then but had even more assurance and heartfelt intensity in his solo viola lines this time with the orchestra really digging in to give wonderfully committed support.
THIS Jewish New Year concert on the anniversary of the Babi Yar massacre by the Nazis in Kiev comprised a selection of commemorative works.
For such an impressive and significant concert it was disappointing that the audience numbers were small.
Although named The New Zealand School of Music Orchestra it cannot be considered a “student orchestra.” There were many guest professional players in the ranks in significant sections and the playing under conductor Kenneth Young was disciplined and fine.
Anthony Ritchie’s Remembering Parihaka, a New Zealand commemorative work, refers to the Taranaki land confiscation turmoil of 1851, and still resonates with its affecting power and resolute acceptance.
Ernest Bloch’s Schelomo reflected on the abject horrors of WW1, a deeply moving work which received a powerful evocation in Inbal Megiddo’s intense cello solos backed by rich intensity from the orchestra under Young.
Psathas’s Millennium Fanfare Luminous though interesting in its rippling minimalist style, seemed out of place.
Violist Donald Maurice has been the champion of Boris Pigovat’s Requiem: The Holocaust giving its first New Zealand performances with the Vector Wellington Orchestra two years ago. It was moving then but had even more assurance and heartfelt intensity in his solo viola lines this time with the orchestra really digging in to give wonderfully committed support.
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