Conducted by Leonard
Weiss
Soloists: Dr Edward
& Dr Stephanie Neeman
Llewellyn Hall Sunday
26 June
Review by Len Power
With Leonard Weiss conducting the Canberra Youth Orchestra and
featuring piano soloists Dr. Edward Neeman and Dr. Stephanie Neeman, the
second Icons subscription series concert promised an exciting and varied program
of Gershwin, Mendelssohn and Dvorak. We were
not disappointed.
Commencing with Gershwin’s ever-popular ’Rhapsody in Blue’
with Dr. Edward Neeman at the piano, the orchestra gave a fine performance of
this classical yet delightfully jazzy piece. Dr Neeman’s piano playing was superb,
bringing out extra colours in the music here and there in his individual interpretation.
Mendelssohn’s Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra in E
Major is one of only two works by Mendelssohn for multiple soloists. Composed when Mendelssohn was only 14, the
work displays an amazing maturity for one so young. Nicely played by the orchestra and soloists,
it was fascinating to watch the communication between the two pianists and the
sheer joy they were experiencing in the playing of it. The second movement was especially lush and
lyrical and was played with great sensitivity, although there was some less
than precise work from the trumpets. The
final movement was grand and exciting with a thrilling finale.
Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8 is one of his shorter symphonies, filled
with folk-inspired melodies. The melancholic
beginning of the first movement had notably excellent playing from the cellos, clarinet
and horns. The trumpet fanfare was very
well-played and the playing by the strings in the final movement was especially
fine.
Leonard Weiss conducted with great care and sensitivity. This was a very entertaining concert with
well-chosen works, strong and confident playing by the orchestra and an
opportunity to see two master international pianists in top form.
Len Power’s reviews
can also be heard on Artsound FM 92.7’s ‘Artcetera’ program on Saturdays from
9am.