Superb Stefanie has a Field day

FIELD OF FLOWERS Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra Stefanie Farrands, viola TSO Chorus Marko Letonja, conductor Federation Concert Hall, Hobart December 2

THE opening work, Symphony No.102 in B flat by Haydn, proved refreshing due to conductor Marko Letonja’s attention to detail, producing varying dynamic effects, from delicate to boisterous.

The major work and ultimately the highlight of the concert was Flos Campi, by Ralph Vaughan Williams, whose passionate suite was composed while reflecting on quotations from the Old Testament’s Song of Solomon.

The TSO Chorus, prepared by chorusmaster June Tyzack, achieved a remarkable level of unity and control in wordless dialogue with orchestra and solo viola.

Spellbinding moments of near silence gave way to insistent vocalisations and achingly sweet cadenzas played by Stefanie Farrands. The viola was the star, with Farrands technically superb.

Celeste interludes relieved tension, while timpani and harp contributed to a sense of total immersion.

In Fantasia on a Theme by Vaughan Williams, Paul Stanhope developed Vaughan Williams’ tune Down Ampney, originally set to Come Down O Love Divine in the English hymnal. The theme was unstated at first, appearing in snatched phrases throughout many rousing forms. Stanhope’s overall bright and buoyant piece used full orchestral force and maximised the substantial percussion section.

Brahms’ Variations on St Antoni Chorale op 56a theme, once credited to Haydn, is announced by oboe supported by other winds. Brahms methodically recapitulates with harmonic and rhythmic development linking eight variations. His orderly ornamentation satisfied, with Variation VII particularly expressive and ethereal. The Finale triumphantly concluded the concert.