Review: Exciting burst of sound from SCO

The first evening of the Perth Concert Series on September 26 had the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in very different works in the two halves.

Twentieth century Scandinavia featured in the first half, beginning with Nielsen’s Overture Helios.

From the silence and darkness of low double-basses then, slightly too loud, horns, the evening’s conductor Enrique Mazzola led an exciting anticipatory crescendo before the sun burst forth with the trumpets given their head a little too much.

Nielsen’s individual lyric voice came out strongly before adrenalin from fugal entries and a heroic climax. Then the long build down as the sun set.

Good though the Nielsen was, Enrique Mazzola from his vivid liveliness had Sibelius’Symphony No3 as a favourite work.

The Scottish Chamber Orchestra was on superb form from detailed cellos and double-basses, through clear and characterful woodwind, to articulate violins played with huge dynamic range, bringing a terrific climax to the first movement. The wistful and plaintive slow movement began with a nice, subtle nudge to the flutes.

Again the cellos were on fantastic song as part of the best Sibelius playing you could ever hear. Fine and clever playing, the stopped horns, came in the finale, where after the Scherzo-like start the powerful, archaic chant rose to the ferocious.

Norwegian violinist Vilde Frang had been the main draw to this concert and she did not disappoint: she gave a sweetly elevated reading of the first movement and daringly soft lyrical tone to the second.

The SCO’s bassoons were exceptional partners for her in the first movement and the Rondo Finale where Vilde Frang was at her most delightful, with the liveliest and most individual variety of tone, genial and smilingly humorous.

Understandably pleased and entertained, the Perth Concert Hall audience were unstinting in their enthusiastic applause.