The Australian Chamber Orchestra channelled rival composers Gustav Mahler and Jean Sibelius at the Adelaide Town Hall on Tuesday evening with Artistic Director Richard Tognetti masterfully conducting a supersized ACO as part of their national tour.
If not for the anticipation of the promised great symphonies on the billing, the surprise Rebecca Chan gave us would have been a splendid (if short) concert on it’s own. Chan led violinists Ilya Isakovich and Gosia Loboda, and Alexandru-Mahai Bota (viola) and Julian Thompson (cello) in a gorgeous, non-programmed version of Sibelius’ Serenade Op. 69 no. 2, unveiling the newest member of the Australian Chamber Orchestra; a 1714 Joseph Guarneri filius Andreæ violin. Formerly owned by Isolde Menges, Chan introduced the violin with a fascinating history, producing awe-inspiring timbre, as the quintet set the musical landscape; a taste of more beauty to come.
Sibelius, himself an accomplished violinist, said his Symphony no. 6 in D minor, Op. 104, “… always reminds me of the scent of the first snow.” The romance of the charming sentiment was not lost on the larger-than-normal chamber orchestra in this performance; the exquisite lightness achieved by the strings in the first movement Allegro molto moderato, superb.
Post-interval saw a barely perceptible shift from the sublime to the ridiculously good. Expectations were high for Mahler’s “Heavenly” Symphony No 4 in G, and the ACO delivered with wings. The devil was in Mahler’s delicate details, which were exquisitely revealed in the recurring ‘bell theme’, and Tognetti’s violin solo (whilst conducting) during the second movement scherzo.
In the final movement, Sehr behaglich (Very comfortable), soprano Kiera Duffy, wearing a sfogliatelle inspired black gown that perfectly matched her sweet voice, delivered Das himmlische Leben (The Heavenly Life). Her appropriately child-like demeanour and clarity of diction made for an impressive conclusion.
Watching how much the orchestra enjoyed themselves throughout this show added immensely to the live concert experience; rapturous joy reflected on expressive faces was delightful to see (they’re welcome round mine for Friday night poker anytime).
This was an extremely well chosen program, which metered out the passion and expertise of the Australian Chamber Orchestra in a thrilling tale of two symphonies.
The final three performances of this program are in Sydney this week; 27 – 29 June. Tickets from ACO.
Reviewed by Gordon Forester
Twitter: @GordonForester
Venue: Adelaide Town Hall
Season: 24 June 2014
Duration: 2 hours
Tickets: $45 – $106
Bookings: Australian Chamber Orchestra
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