MUSIC REVIEW

The name of this said it all – and that was all that was needed to lure the classical music faithful to Robert Blackwood Hall for the first of three concerts (the others being at Hamer Hall on Saturday and Monday). For the most part, concert-goers would have been satisfied, with a program designed to please: Beethoven’s Egmont Overture and then his Violin Concerto, with Tchaikovsky’s great Symphony No.5 after interval. If there was not as good a ‘fit’ between orchestra and conductor as in other recent concerts, this could be explained by Branwell Tovey being a visitor – in Australia between engagements in Vancouver and Los Angeles – with his own views on interpretation, and particularly tempi in the Tchaikovsky. The ‘whole body’ style of conducting is popular with many conductors – but Tovey’s idiosyncratic left kick was slightly alarming as it threatened to connect with violinists in the front desk! The Egmont Overture, with its opening declaratory statements and recognisable melody, is a good work to begin, and set the stage for the major works to follow. Chief of these was the violin concerto, Beethoven’s only one for this instrument – and symphonic in its scale and structure. Indeed the orchestra dominated the first movement, and not just because of the scoring. It provided the richness of sound and depth of feeling that is the essence of Beethoven’s greatness. One hopes the solo instrument will soar above this mass of sound and establish a commanding presence. On this occasion German violinist Christian Tetzlaff established a sweetness of tone but his performance was flawed by a tentative approach and an occasional wrong note in the runs. In the light of this, I felt the choice of cadenza was overly ambitious. The transition from the second to the third movement was everything an audience could hope for, and soloist and orchestra carried the work through to its satisfying conclusion. And Tovey made a good choice with his elegant, simple encore. As for the Tchaikovsky, this was music at which the MSO excels – as a whole group and showcasing its polished sections and soloists. You felt like applauding at the end of the first movement – almost a symphony in itself, with its several subjects, contrasts and rich harmonies. But the thunderous applause was, of course, to come later. For more information about upcoming MSO performances go to www.mso.com.au