Conducted by Leonard
Weiss
Katherine Day, piano
The Q Theatre
Queanbeyan, Sunday 6 August
Reviewed by Len Power
The National Capital Orchestra under the baton of Leonard
Weiss presented an epic concert with two works by Australian composers, Nigel
Sabin and Christopher Gordon, both of whom were in the audience at the Q
Theatre, and Beethoven’s magnificent Emperor piano concerto Number 5 with
soloist Katherine Day.
Leonard Weiss stated at the start of the concert that the
orchestra was very keen to play Australian music that, while it was able to be heard
on the radio and on recordings, was not often performed in concert. The two works presented in the first half of
this concert were good examples. They
were thrilling to hear performed live.
 |
| Leonard Weiss conducting the National Capital Orchestra |
Nigel Sabin’s ‘Symphony’ was first performed in 1996. Described as a whimsical and humorous
depiction of contemporary Australian life, it has grandeur and drama as well as
lightness and irreverence. It leads to a
busy and exciting finale. The orchestra
played it very well.
The music for Christopher Gordon’s ‘Suite From Moby Dick’
started life in 1997 as part of a film score for a mini-series based on Herman
Melville’s classic novel of the sea, ‘Moby Dick’. This is very visual music, evoking images of
the sea, the drama of whaling ships chasing whales and leading to a tragedy for
a ship’s crew. The orchestra brought out
all the atmosphere and colour of this exciting work. There was particularly fine playing by the
percussion section in the final movement.
 |
| Katherine Day at the piano |
Beethoven’s Piano Concerto Number 5, ‘Emperor’, was first
performed in 1811 and has retained its popularity in the concert hall ever
since. A beautiful work that flows from
one marvellous melody to another interspersed with exciting dramatic passages,
it makes major demands on the abilities of players and soloists to get it
right. Katherine Day gave an excellent,
very sensitive performance of the work and the orchestra gave her very strong
support throughout.
Photographs by Peter Hislop
This review was first
published in the Canberra City News digital edition on Monday 7th of
August.
Len Power’s reviews
can also be heard on Artsound FM 92.7 ‘Artcetera’ program from 9am on Saturdays
and on other selected Artsound programs.
