Zest and zing from sinfonietta
Garth Wilshere
Wellington Youth Sinfonietta, Conductor – Michael Vinten, St Andrew’s on The Terrace, September 4. Reviewed by Garth Wilshere
CLOSE on the heels of the National Youth Orchestra it was intriguing to hear another even younger orchestra, The Wellington Youth Sinfonietta one of the orchestras under the umbrella of The Wellington Youth Orchestra Inc.
It was salutary to hear again such excellence, especially in strings, in young players. The sound the large body of strings made was excellent, with no need to make concessions for the quality of their playing despite their relative youth and inexperience.
Formed as a junior symphony orchestra, they celebrate their 20th anniversary next year. Since inception under their director Michael Vinten they have provided an introduction for players learning to play in an orchestra.
The lively early Mozart Symphony No. 2 was finely balanced and played with zest and zing. The delicacy and subtlety in Mascagni’s Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana was well caught by these young players.
One of the orchestra’s viola players Craig Drummond-Nairn had composed a String Serenade. A thoughtful well-constructed piece which had echoes of Douglas Lilburn in tone and style with real beauty in the string writing. Reflective and elegiac in mood with a melancholic edge, but some more edgy, lively moments, it is an accomplished work that got a great reading from his supportive young musical colleagues.
Barber’s popular Adagio for Strings was performed with feeling but not as well as the other pieces.
Haydn’s Symphony No. 44 got a stylish, sparklingly committed performance of true substance.
An excellent concert and possibly their best in their 20 year history.
CLOSE on the heels of the National Youth Orchestra it was intriguing to hear another even younger orchestra, The Wellington Youth Sinfonietta one of the orchestras under the umbrella of The Wellington Youth Orchestra Inc.
It was salutary to hear again such excellence, especially in strings, in young players. The sound the large body of strings made was excellent, with no need to make concessions for the quality of their playing despite their relative youth and inexperience.
Formed as a junior symphony orchestra, they celebrate their 20th anniversary next year. Since inception under their director Michael Vinten they have provided an introduction for players learning to play in an orchestra.
The lively early Mozart Symphony No. 2 was finely balanced and played with zest and zing. The delicacy and subtlety in Mascagni’s Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana was well caught by these young players.
One of the orchestra’s viola players Craig Drummond-Nairn had composed a String Serenade. A thoughtful well-constructed piece which had echoes of Douglas Lilburn in tone and style with real beauty in the string writing. Reflective and elegiac in mood with a melancholic edge, but some more edgy, lively moments, it is an accomplished work that got a great reading from his supportive young musical colleagues.
Barber’s popular Adagio for Strings was performed with feeling but not as well as the other pieces.
Haydn’s Symphony No. 44 got a stylish, sparklingly committed performance of true substance.
An excellent concert and possibly their best in their 20 year history.
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