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Zelman Symphony: End Games

by Heather Leviston 5th December, 2018
by Heather Leviston 5th December, 2018
262

“End Games” was an appropriate title for Zelman Symphony’s final concert for 2018 even if it was intended to reflect the nature of the three works making up the program. Haydn’s Symphony No. 104, Strauss’s Vier Letzte Lieder (Four Last Songs) and Brahms’ Symphony No. 4 were all composed towards the end of their lives and stand as mature expressions of creative genius.

Undaunted by the challenges posed by these great works for an orchestra comprised largely of amateur musicians, both Artistic Director / Principal Conductor Rick Prakoff and Concertmaster Susan Pierotti saw the potential value they offered for the musicians and audiences alike. The opportunity to have Miriam Gordon-Stewart, a soprano renowned for her interpretation of music by Strauss and Wagner, join them for this concert made Strauss’s final composition an obvious choice.

Gordon-Stewart is possibly most familiar to Melbourne audiences for her dramatically and musically sensitive portrayal of Sieglinde in Opera Australia’s 2013 production of Die Walküre. Those same qualities were on display in this concert. Her vocal technique enables her to draw out long phrases and ride the surging crescendos with exciting rich tone. The opening of “Beim Schlafengehen” (While Going to Sleep) was simply gorgeous. Her diction was flawless and it was clear that her understanding of the subtleties of the text is profound. I doubt that any singer could have invested the final song, “Im Abendrot” (At Sunset) with more meaning. She sang without a score and projected a poised expressiveness that was completely at one with the music. In some respects it was a shame that text and translation were not provided with the program as it would have led to a greater appreciation of her command of vocal colour. On the other hand, she was able to convey the essence by using nuanced facial expression. It was also a pleasure simply to look at her striking red hair and glowing gown – a graceful echo of the Jugendstil of Strauss’s time.

One of the most exquisite solo violin passages in orchestral writing is found in “Beim Schlafengehen” and Susan Pierotti gave a graceful account of what Strauss describes as “the unfettered soul soaring in free flight to the magic circle of the night”. She was not alone in giving this miraculous score wings. Who would have thought the horns – that most treacherous of all instruments – could rise so well to the occasion? The horn solo in “September” was particularly impressive. Perhaps all orchestral members felt exceptionally inspired by this music and the singer. Rick Prakhoff had certainly gone to pains to ensure a suitably wide dynamic range in this and the symphonies.

When the orchestra entered the stage I could not help but notice – and applaud – the diverse nature of the musicians. There were older violinists and a percussionist who looked – at least from a distance – as though he might still be attending school. A diversity of ethnicity was also a welcome feature. Zelman Symphony is an inclusive orchestra. There were obvious discrepancies in the abilities of the musicians, but the overall level of competence produced a result that would have been satisfying to both the players and the audience.

The Haydn symphony was basically together and was distinguished by some lovely soft violin tone in the “Adagio” movement and some strong, if inconsistent violin playing. Despite the odd untidy moment, the Brahms symphony was a pleasure to listen to. The opening theme was played with the sort of fervor and singing tone that reminded the listener why Brahms has been so popular with audiences in the past that critics used to complain about how often it was programmed. I was with every player as they reveled in the sweeping melodies. The second movement was marked by some effective work from the bassoon and quietly atmospheric orchestral playing before the darker ending. A robust “Allegro giocoso” was followed by some strong wind chording and splendid work from the brass. The powerful buildup was underpinned by the seven (no less!) double basses.

Zelman Symphony deserves enthusiastic support for what it brings to the cultural life of Melbourne. An excellent array of soloists continue to be selected to play with a body of musicians which appears to be gaining in assurance under the baton of Rick Prakhoff. See you there next year as Ji Won Kim, David Griffiths (one of my very favourite musicians) and notable Canadian violinist Alexandre Da Costa join them in 2019.

___________________________________________________

Heather Leviston attended Zelman Symphony’s “End Games” at Camberwell Grammar School on December 1, 2018.

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Heather Leviston

Heather Leviston has devoted much of her life to listening to classical music and attending concerts. An addiction to vocal and string music has led her to undertake extensive training in singing and perform as a member of the Victoria State Opera chorus and as a soloist with various musical organisations.

As a founding academic teacher of the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School, she has had the privilege of witnessing the progress of many talented students, keenly following their careers by attending their performances both in Australia and overseas.

As a reviewer, initially for artsHub, and also for Sounds like Sydney, she has been keen to bring attention to the fine music-making that is on offer in Australia, especially in the form of live performance. Heather is a valued member of Classical Melbourne’s editorial team, with her reviews of opera and vocal music valued by performers and audiences alike.

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August 1 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

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Playing the works from their vast back catalogue that have earned the brothers justifiable recognition as Australia’s finest classical guitarists.

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July 2
July 2 @ 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Tempo Rubato: Listening Room #6: New York Minimalism & the Avant Garde

July 3
July 3 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Live at Toorak: Richard Tognetti x Konstantin Shamray

July 3 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Mozart and the Mendelssohns

July 3 @ 8:00 pm - 10:20 pm Event Series

Orchestra Victoria: Indie Symphony II: Video Games in Concert

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Orchestra Victoria: Indie Symphony II: Video Games in Concert

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July 10
July 10 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Event Series

Melbourne Chamber Orchestra: Pastorale

July 11
July 11 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

MSO and Short Black Opera: Yinya dana: lighting the path

July 11 @ 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Tempo Rubato: Simon Svoboda | Callum Mintzis

July 12
July 12 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Event Series

BENAUD TRIO 20TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT

July 12 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Event Series

BENAUD TRIO 20TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT

July 13
July 13 @ 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm Event Series

Melbourne Chamber Orchestra: Pastorale

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July 17
July 17 @ 7:30 pm - 9:20 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra presents Fiesta! Dvorak’s Cello Concerto & Chindamo

July 17 @ 7:30 pm - 9:20 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Fiesta! Dvorak’s Cello Concerto & Chindamo

July 18
July 18 @ 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm

ELISION Ensemble AXIS MUNDI

July 18 @ 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Tempo Rubato: Beyond Time Trio – Butterfly Garden

July 18 @ 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Inland and Astra: Still Lives

July 19
July 19 @ 2:00 pm - 3:50 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra presents Fiesta! Dvorak’s Cello Concerto & Chindamo

July 19 @ 2:00 pm - 3:50 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Fiesta! Dvorak’s Cello Concerto & Chindamo

July 21
July 21 @ 6:30 pm - 7:45 pm

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra presents Dvořák’s Cello Concerto – Quick Fix at Half Six

July 22
July 22 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Musica Viva Australia: Mozart’s Clarinet

July 26
July 26 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Homophonic! presents: ‘Moonlite’

July 17
July 17 @ 7:30 pm - 9:20 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra presents Fiesta! Dvorak’s Cello Concerto & Chindamo

July 17 @ 7:30 pm - 9:20 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Fiesta! Dvorak’s Cello Concerto & Chindamo

July 18
July 18 @ 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm

ELISION Ensemble AXIS MUNDI

July 18 @ 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Tempo Rubato: Beyond Time Trio – Butterfly Garden

July 18 @ 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Inland and Astra: Still Lives

July 19
July 19 @ 2:00 pm - 3:50 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra presents Fiesta! Dvorak’s Cello Concerto & Chindamo

July 19 @ 2:00 pm - 3:50 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Fiesta! Dvorak’s Cello Concerto & Chindamo

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Melbourne Symphony Orchestra presents Dvořák’s Cello Concerto – Quick Fix at Half Six

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Musica Viva Australia: Mozart’s Clarinet

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Homophonic! presents: ‘Moonlite’

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