Presented by Adelaide Town Hall
Reviewed 21 June 2016
This performance was to celebrate the150th anniversary of the Adelaide Town Hall. When the audience entered there was what appeared to be a scale model of the town hall front and centre on the stage. The program was opened with a welcome by the Lord Mayor of Adelaide, Martin Haese, would introduced the night’s proceedings and informed us that the model was in fact a cake which he then cut!
The first musical piece was Wagner’s Prelude to Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg. Under the sure hand of the Conductor, Keith Cretlin OAM, the young players impressed with their handling of this piece from the comic opera. The bright sections were uplifting and the usual Wagner crescendos had passion and power. The enthusiasm of the young players was infectious.
This was followed by Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No4 in G Major, OP 58 played by the up and coming pianist Mekha Kumar. This piece was played at Beethoven’s last appearance as a pianist with an orchestra. Although this pianist had played this before, this was her first time with an orchestra. It is a complex piece and was beautifully handled by Kumar with fine support from the orchestra and conductor. The opening which is just solo piano was delightful and the finale with its fanfare showed the talents of the young musicians.
At the interval the audience was treated to a slice of the excellent birthday cake with tea and coffee.
The second half consisted of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No 2 in C minor Op17, often known as “The Little Russian”. The name came from the similarity to the folk songs of the Ukraine. This work gave lots of opportunity for the many soloists to shine, and shine they did. Again the passion and enthusiasm of these young musicians was evident and carried us all through to a very satisfying conclusion.
This was indeed a magnificent way to celebrate the birthday of one of our finest public buildings!
Reviewed by Fran Edwards
Twitter: @franeds
One night only – Season ended:
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