Masterful performance of glorious compositions
Lands of Hope and Glory, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Hamish McKeich with Helen Medlyn (mezzo and presenter), Vesa-Matti Leppanen (violin), Brendon Eade (bagpipes), Michael Fowler Centre, June 30
This concert was designed to celebrate the Lions – and their host of fans – in Wellington and consisted of music from all – or most – of the countries participating in the tour.
The concert-goers clearly enjoyed themselves, singing along at the appropriate times and quietly rapt during the evening’s finest playing.
The concert started a little uncertainly with some lumpy playing at the beginning of Elgar’s Cockaigne Overture, although things picked up. Here I felt the effect of a slight reduction in string numbers but appreciated some stylish wind playing and crisp brass.
But the strings redeemed themselves with some lovely playing in Arnold Bax’s Irish Landscape from his Three Pieces for Orchestra. This work was new to me, but it made a fine impression. And impressive, too, was Sir Peter Maxwell Davies’ wonderfully evocative An Orkney Wedding, with Sunrise with the arrival of the piper at the finish as spine chilling as it always is.
The second-half opened with a fine performance of Lilburns’ Aotearoa Overture and included a folk-song medley – a touch overscored by Chris Hazell – but well sung and energised by Helen Medlyn, and finished with a rousing Elgar Pomp and Circumstance No 1, but the highlight of the concert had come earlier; an absolutely ravishing performance of Vaughan Williams’ wonderfully atmospheric The Lark Ascending. NZSO concertmaster Vesa-Matti Leppanen has played the work before, but never like this.
This was as masterly a performance as could be imagined and he was supported by a wonderful cushion of strings with superb moments from wind and brass principals. – John Button