Mozart & Schubert
Canberra Sinfonia
Conducted by Leonard
Weiss
Wesley Uniting
Church, Forrest Saturday 21 July
Reviewed by Len Power
Canberra Sinfonia’s inaugural concert of two symphonies by
Mozart and Schubert displayed the high standard of young talent in Canberra’s
classical music arena.
Patron, singer Louise Page, stated in the program that ‘one
of the hardest times in a young musician’s life is bridging the gap between
student training and employment with an established musical body’. Canberra Sinfonia has been created to help
bridge that gap and, under the baton of conductor Leonard Weiss, 20 very
capable young musicians played the first concert at the Wesley Uniting Church
in Forrest to an almost full house of music lovers.
Well-conducted by Leonard Weiss, the program commenced with
Mozart’s Symphony No. 29 in A, composed in 1774 when Mozart was only 18 years
of age. The Sinfonia gave the first
movement a strong start, playing with confidence and producing a pleasing
sound. They gave the melodic and
reflective second movement charming warmth.
There was a bold sharpness and energy in the playing of the third
movement that then carried over into the enjoyably dramatic finale.
In the second half of the program, the Sinfonia played
Schubert’s delightful Symphony No. 5 in B Flat which was composed in 1816 when
Schubert was only 19 years old. It
contains fine sensitive melodies that repeat and sweep you along throughout the
work. The harmonies in the second
movement were especially well-played and the Sinfonia gave the third movement a
lush, romantic feeling that was full of colour.
The finale was played with vitality and accuracy – a fine ending to a
very enjoyable concert.
It was appropriate that this new group of young players
should choose two works by the composers that were written while they
themselves were young. It was a fine
first concert and it was clear that the Sinfonia will go from strength to
strength in the future.
Len Power’s reviews
are also broadcast in his ‘On Stage’ performing arts radio program on Mondays
and Wednesdays from 3.30pm on Artsound FM 92.7.