W.A.Symphony Orchestra
Perth Concert Hall
reviewed by Neville Cohn
A Night in Vienna was made memorable by Asher Fisch’s gratifyingly meaningful direction as his forces, much on their musical toes, served up memorable moments from Richard Strauss’ Der Rosenkavalier. I savoured every moment of this magical music given point and meaning at every turn. Its sensuous, passionate moments were impressively evoked.
This was far and away the high point of the program, an offering presented with rare flair and elan. Baron Och’s Waltz, in particular, could hardly have been bettered. It was delivered in high style with the WASO playing as if inspired, especially strings and French horns which were in finest fettle – as was Liz Chee on oboe.
Alexandre Da Costa gave us a Fritz Kreisler feast on his Stradivarius violin with those timeless gems – Liebesfreud, Liebesleid and Schon Rosmarin – working their usual magic. Swaying to the rhythms of these much-loved delights, Da Costa delivered sonic nostalgia in spades.
Earlier, Da Costa’s virtuosic solo introduction to Kreisler’s Viennese Rhapsodic Fantasietta – and first rate double stopping – raised expectations that were less than fully realised as the work unfolded. Here, the solo line might to advantage have stood out more emphatically against the orchestral background.
Rather uncharacteristically, WASO’s account of the overture to Die Fledermaus bordered on the lacklustre as did the celebrated Emperor Waltz which struck a dull patch.
