Conducted by Leonard Weiss
Barbara Jane Gilby,
Violin
David Pereira, Cello
Edward &
Stephanie Neeman, Piano
Llewellyn Hall 20
August
Review by Len Power
The National Capital Orchestra under the baton of Leonard Weiss
presented a feast of fine music on Saturday night at Llewellyn Hall.
The ‘Overture to Fidelio’, from Ludwig Van Beethoven’s only
opera, written in 1805, was played with great energy and warmth with fine work
from the horns and an especially strong and exciting finale.
Joseph Haydn’s Symphony No. 49 ‘La Passione’ in F minor,
written in 1768, was next on the program.
Discussion continues to rage over its popular title ‘The Passion’ with
many thinking it refers to the sombre nature of the opening movement while
others believe it has a theatrical origin.
The first movement was played with great control and feeling and
contrasted nicely with the energy of the second movement. The atmospheric playing of the third movement
was the highlight of the performance of this work.
There was a change of pace with the next offering. Martin Wesley-Smith’s ‘My Brother Jack’ from
1994 is based on snippets of the melody from the popular folk song ‘Frére
Jacques’. It was played with four hands on
one piano by Edward and Stephanie Neeman.
This modern work is challenging but fun and the performers were as delightful
to watch as they were to listen to. The co-ordination
between them as they played was extraordinary.
The major work of the evening was Beethoven’s Triple
Concerto for cello, violin and piano. It
is the only concerto Beethoven ever completed for more than one solo
instrument. This popular work, written
in 1803, was played superbly by the soloists David Pereira, cello, Barbara Jane
Gilby, violin and Edward Neeman on piano.
The second movement where cello and violin weave around the melody was just
sublime. The orchestra accompanied the soloists
with fine and sensitive playing.
The National Capital Orchestra has excelled once again with a
well-played and enjoyable concert of nicely varied works.
Len Power’s reviews
can also be heard on Artsound FM 92.7 ‘Artcetera’ program from 9am on
Saturdays.
