Top class musical afternoon to remember

Welsh National Opera Orchestra, St David’s Hall, Cardiff

ON A damp, drizzly Sunday afternoon one needed something to lift the spirits. This splendid concert certainly did that.

Concerts by the Welsh National Opera Orchestra are invariably top class and this one, conducted by their new music director Tomas Hanus, was no exception.

Mr Hanus, who addressed the audience at the start of the concert, strikes one as a most convivial and enthusiastic chap, qualities which he brings to his conducting. He draws from his musicians playing that is full of energy and vision.

The opening Serenade for Strings was delivered with poise and delicacy. The third movement Adagio was an especially beautiful passage in a which is only dispelled in the final 27-minute work that simply made the pages, is reflected in Dvorak’s Symphony listener smile. No 7. One is unlikely to see a better live

The orchestra was joined by young performance of the symphony than this pianist Pavel Kolesnikov for an one under the direction of Mr Hanus. enthralling performance of Mozart’s Each of the movements had its own Piano Concerto No 20, one of only two special drive and energy, with the he wrote in the minor key. Those looking playing in the second movement being for an overtly emotional, heart-on-sleeve particularly pleasing. Conductor and style of playing from Mr Kolesnikov will orchestra clearly understood the be disappointed. His approach is more architecture and argument of the work, controlled and studied, bringing an shaping it into a powerfully expansive intensity to his performance which also and compelling experience. has the subtlety and fluidity necessary to The bold and authoritative playing by get to the core of the concerto. His the brass section and the basses had a interpretation was gripping and often vital role in bringing the work to a profound. completely satisfying conclusion.

The emotionally charged atmosphere An afternoon to remember. of passionate intensity of the concerto, Peter Collins The winning numbers in last night’s Lotto main draw were

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