Shubert, Brahms, Sibelius make for adventurous mix

VSO’S Akiyama infuses Legends with passion, depth and range in striking works performed at the Orpheum Theatre

Vancouver Symphony Orchestra conductor laureate Kazuyoshi Akiyama led a singularly interesting and effective program at the Orpheum Saturday, an adventurous mix of music by Schubert, Brahms, and Sibelius.

He began with an extroverted reading of Schubert’s Rosamunda Overture, an effective curtain raiser for the main event — Brahms’ Concerto for Violin and Cello, with Karen Gomyo and Christian Poltéra as duo soloists. The two young performers have entirely complementary sounds, and real teamwork made the often thick music come alive. By far the least well known of Brahms concertos, the Double Concerto is a striking work in which the violin and cello ultimately seem to merge into one evocative super- instrument.

After several disastrous Brahms performances earlier in the season by guest conductors, this was Brahms back on track and completely satisfying: passionate, intense, heart- on- the sleeve playing. Gomyo demonstrated real grace under pressure as she dealt with a startling instrument malfunction in the full heat of the finale. Fine, fine work from all concerned, and one of the real treats of this season.

Only The Swan of Tuonela from Jean Sibelius’s Kalevala- derived Legends ( Lemminkäinen Suite), Op. 22, is heard with any regularity in our concert halls; an opportunity to sample all

Despite occasional rough edges which can be put down to unfamiliarity, length, and stamina as much as anything, the spirit of the endeavour couldn’t have been better.

four was yet another significant event in this VSO season.

Something less than a symphony, but much more than a collection of tone poems, the Legends share a focus on orchestral texture and narrative. Colouristic complexity can’t quite hide the fact that this isn’t particularly subtle music; yet, despite occasional rough edges which can be put down to unfamiliarity, length, and stamina as much as anything, the spirit of the endeavour couldn’t have been better.

The players responded enthusiastically to Akiyama’s conception of the works, rendered in broad but appropriate strokes. Some sections, which under a less practised baton might have seemed repetitive and rhetorical, came across as exemplary musical storytelling — grand, dramatic, and always vital. As he invariably does, Akiyama conveyed a sense of abiding joy in the music and touching affection for his soloists, and his audience roared its approval.

The program repeats Monday, 8 p. m.