A rich performance
Garth Wilshere
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Michael Fowler Centre 12 June 2010, reviewed by Garth Wilshere
CONDUCTOR Alexander Lazarev always whips up a storm in his concerts in New Zealand and this time with popular pianist Freddy Kempf, who had impressed on his last visit, this was a concert that was sure to please, and it did, although for me with a few reservations.
Lazarev bounded on to the podium and even before the applause subsided plunged into Glinka’s Ruslan and Ludmila Overture; The beginning of a wild ride into Russian Romantics.
Glazunov’s The Seasons is rich in picaresque detail with exuberant tonal colour, his scintillating orchestration full of interest. The orchestra were up to the brilliance with of course, excellent winds, bold brass, and ravishing strings.
The orchestra were urged and pushed, jumping along with Lazarev to his every move, giving a vital energetic performance
Lazarev is a showman, he gives a performance with his gestures exaggerated, even spinning around to face the audience before the final bars of a work. Not the most technically assured of conductors, but exciting to watch, his bravura and intense rehearsals no doubt forming the interpretation presented on the night.
Freddy Kempf gave a thoughtful and slightly eccentric performance of the popular Rachmaninov piano Concerto No. 3.
It was a restrained, poetic interpretation, very beautiful in the quieter passages. In full fortissimo flight he was little strained, but the musical battle with the orchestra was thrilling.
Lazarev is not a natural accompanist, I think he prefers to be the centre of attention, and his conducting style meant occasional moments where orchestra and soloist came adrift.
Kempf’s excellent encore of the Liszt paraphrase of the Liebestod from Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde actually brought his best playing. As we know from his last visit he is a terrific recitalist.
CONDUCTOR Alexander Lazarev always whips up a storm in his concerts in New Zealand and this time with popular pianist Freddy Kempf, who had impressed on his last visit, this was a concert that was sure to please, and it did, although for me with a few reservations.
Lazarev bounded on to the podium and even before the applause subsided plunged into Glinka’s Ruslan and Ludmila Overture; The beginning of a wild ride into Russian Romantics.
Glazunov’s The Seasons is rich in picaresque detail with exuberant tonal colour, his scintillating orchestration full of interest. The orchestra were up to the brilliance with of course, excellent winds, bold brass, and ravishing strings.
The orchestra were urged and pushed, jumping along with Lazarev to his every move, giving a vital energetic performance
Lazarev is a showman, he gives a performance with his gestures exaggerated, even spinning around to face the audience before the final bars of a work. Not the most technically assured of conductors, but exciting to watch, his bravura and intense rehearsals no doubt forming the interpretation presented on the night.
Freddy Kempf gave a thoughtful and slightly eccentric performance of the popular Rachmaninov piano Concerto No. 3.
It was a restrained, poetic interpretation, very beautiful in the quieter passages. In full fortissimo flight he was little strained, but the musical battle with the orchestra was thrilling.
Lazarev is not a natural accompanist, I think he prefers to be the centre of attention, and his conducting style meant occasional moments where orchestra and soloist came adrift.
Kempf’s excellent encore of the Liszt paraphrase of the Liebestod from Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde actually brought his best playing. As we know from his last visit he is a terrific recitalist.
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