<\/p>\n
Sibelius\u2019 name and reputation are inextricably linked to his symphonies. They are the bedrock of his fame. But, these aside, he was a most prolific composer. A fair number of these works could fairly be described as tripe \u2013 but there are also shorter orchestral pieces which are gems in the highest sense.<\/p>\n
One of these, the Prelude to Shakespeare\u2019s The Tempest is a superb evocation of a storm, of a frightening maelstrom \u2013 and when played with such focussed skill as was the case at the weekend, the question arises: why have compilers so neglected this work? In the long history of the orchestra, it has been programmed only once before \u2013 in 2009..<\/p>\n
Wonderfully evocative of howling wind, thunder and lightning flashes, guest conductor Ludovic Morlot and the WASO sounded in their element, clearly as one as the piece unfolded. It drew me to the edge of my seat.<\/p>\n
At the other end of the emotional scale was Tchaikowsky\u2019s Andante cantabile from his String Quartet No 1 in an arrangement for cello and strings. It is one of the composer\u2019s loveliest essays in calmness \u2013 and at the weekend, cellist Gautier Capucon reigned supreme. Here was musicmaking to soothe, surely, even the most agitated soul. It was an exquisite offering. Bravo!<\/p>\n
Earlier, Capucon was soloist in the same composer\u2019s Variations on a Rococo Theme. Here, too, we were drawn \u2013 willingly \u2013 into Tchaikowsky\u2019s unique sound and mood world. To ensure the cello line could reach the listener unencumbered by a too-heavy accompaniment, the composer wrote for a much reduced orchestra \u2013 no brass except for horns, no percussion. It was a performance that riveted the attention. Throughout, Capucon\u2019s cello line adapted chameleon-like to the subtlest sound colours that the work calls for. And with Morlot\u2019s conducting achieving a consistently first rate accompaniment, this interpretation reached for \u2013 and touched \u2013 the stars. Variation 6 was particularly fine with Mary-Anne Blades\u2019 contribution on flute a highlight.<\/p>\n
Also on the program were Debussy\u2019s La Mer and Sibelius\u2019 The Oceanides.<\/p>\n
Those who missed the concert can listen to a broadcast on ABC Classic FM on Saturday 13 October at noon.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Perth Concert Hall reviewed by Neville Cohn Sibelius\u2019 name and reputation are inextricably linked to his symphonies. They are the bedrock of his fame. But, these aside, he was a most prolific composer. A fair number of these works<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-173","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-live-performance"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p9Yv33-2N","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":123,"url":"https:\/\/ozartsreviewonline.com\/oz\/australian-chamber-orchestra\/","url_meta":{"origin":173,"position":0},"title":"Australian Chamber Orchestra","author":"reviewer","date":"July 8, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Perth Concert Hall reviewed by Neville Cohn \u00a0 Over decades, I\u2019ve lost count of the number of times I\u2019ve listened to Haydn\u2019s Symphony I04 in D minor. It is one of the glories of the classical era \u2013 and the Australian Chamber Orchestra was the ideal ensemble to give point\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Live Performance"","block_context":{"text":"Live Performance","link":"https:\/\/ozartsreviewonline.com\/oz\/category\/live-performance\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"ACO Hamer Hall photo Jeff Busby","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ozartsreviewonline.com\/oz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/ACO-Hamer-Hall-photo-Jeff-Busby_082-300x200.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":158,"url":"https:\/\/ozartsreviewonline.com\/oz\/concert-w-a-symphony-orchestra\/","url_meta":{"origin":173,"position":1},"title":"CONCERT W.A.Symphony Orchestra","author":"reviewer","date":"August 31, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 Perth Concert Hall reviewed by Neville Cohn. \u00a0 Cedric Tiberghien is a highly accomplished pianist. I recall with please his stunningly fine accounts of some of Messiaen\u2019s most complex works at a Perth Festival some years ago. His flawless fingers are up to any challenge \u2013 and this was\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Live Performance"","block_context":{"text":"Live Performance","link":"https:\/\/ozartsreviewonline.com\/oz\/category\/live-performance\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":133,"url":"https:\/\/ozartsreviewonline.com\/oz\/concert\/","url_meta":{"origin":173,"position":2},"title":"CONCERT","author":"reviewer","date":"August 23, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Perth Symphony Orchestra Perth Town Hall reviewed by Neville Cohn \u00a0 What would most office workers do when it\u2019s time to leave for the day? I imagine some might head for a drink at the nearest watering hole or perhaps do some hurried shopping for dinner before walking to a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Live Performance"","block_context":{"text":"Live Performance","link":"https:\/\/ozartsreviewonline.com\/oz\/category\/live-performance\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Jessica Gethin and PSO","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ozartsreviewonline.com\/oz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Jessica-Gethin-and-PSO-CALM-Concert-300x200.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":40,"url":"https:\/\/ozartsreviewonline.com\/oz\/w-a-symphony-orchestra-3\/","url_meta":{"origin":173,"position":3},"title":"W.A. Symphony Orchestra","author":"reviewer","date":"March 25, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Perth Concert Hall review by Neville Cohn \u00a0 I was surprised to read in the printed program that the WASO\u2019s performance at the weekend of Beethoven\u2019s Choral Fantasy was the first time it has been played since 1972. Perhaps one of the reasons for this near-half century absence from its\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Live Performance"","block_context":{"text":"Live Performance","link":"https:\/\/ozartsreviewonline.com\/oz\/category\/live-performance\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"WA Symphony Orchestra","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newozartsreview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/west-australian-symphony-orchestra-1-1-300x200.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":42,"url":"https:\/\/ozartsreviewonline.com\/oz\/w-a-symphony-orchestra-4\/","url_meta":{"origin":173,"position":4},"title":"W.A. Symphony Orchestra","author":"reviewer","date":"October 18, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Perth Concert Hall reviewed by Neville Cohn \u00a0 Vaughan Williams\u2019 Fifth Symphony is seldom heard in this neck of the woods. Prior to the weekend, its most recent performance here was as far back as 1999 when Vernon Handley presided over events. It\u2019s a very welcome return. 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