| Afternoon spirits are truly stirred
Academy of St Thomas, St Andrew’s Hall - 9th March 2010
From its first notes Beethoven’s Leonore No 1 Overture set the mood for this afternoon concert by the Academy of St Thomas under Christopher Adey. It stirred our spirits with reminders of key scenes that make Fidelio a pulsating human drama.
Chopin’s First Piano Concerto was full of emotion too. Tension mounted during the long orchestra introduction with its wealth of themes. At last the soloist was allowed his great moments. With rippling cascades of notes, Piers Lane did not squander it. Intense with flying fingers and looking the very picture of a romantic artist, he also moulded the more relaxed episodes of the poetic second movement.
The finale seemed all the more lively in contrast. Borrowed from a Polish peasant dance, its unusual rhythms had great impact in a very alert performance .
By turn melancholy and thrilling, with sudden changes like squalls alternating with sunny spells, Mendelssohn’s Scottish Symphony caught the character of the Highlands that the 19th century found attractive.
The orchestra led by Ben Lowe, was always ready in response shaping its phrases to maximise emotion and adding a vivid colour at every turn. A melody that’s sweetly sung in turn, the Adagio gave way to a musical portrait of a warrior race.
|
