It is probably unprecedented that two performances of Tchaikovsky’s violin concerto have been played in the same venue by two terrific orchestras within two days of each other – and to close to capacity audiences into the bargain. First we had Joshua Bell, he of the matinee idol good looks and charisma fronting the Australian Youth Orchestra on Monday; then it was the turn of Baiba Skride with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra to launch their Russian Festival program. This coincidence provided a fascinating point of comparison for the many who attended both concerts. A further point of comparison could be made because of the similarity of the second half of the programs: Rimsky Korsakov’s Scheherazade as opposed to Stravinky’s The Firebird: Suite. And the winners were? Most definitely: music lovers. Both programs offered their various individual pleasures.
On Wednesday night, one of those pleasures came in the form of Principal Guest Conductor of the MSO, Diego Matheuz. Elegant in appearance and style of conducting, he is less flamboyant than one might have expected from a famous product of the El Sistema, the revolutionary initiative that has brought orchestral music to so many children living in poverty in Venezuela. His credentials as a notable conductor of Russian music have been forged in the Sistema, which has the works of Russian composers at its heart. As a violinist, he has played Tchaikovsky’s concerto many times and brought a sympathetic and detailed understanding to this reading of the score.
Baiba Skride’s interpretation was totally assured. Her technical brilliance and well-projected tone provided a wonderfully persuasive reading of this popular concerto, inevitably eliciting an enthusiastic response from the audience at the end of the first movement, even before a exquisitely sensitive second movement. Needless to say, the virtuosity of the final movement was greeted with an even greater ovation. There might not have been quite the fascinating detail and special brand of musical expressiveness that marked Joshua Bell’s performance, but Skride’s version is convincing in its powerful authority and lack of mannerism. Her rapport with Wilma Smith as concertmaster was a special bonus.
One note of caution as to how well the performances individual soloists can be appreciated has to be made in regard to the auditorium. Whilst the acoustic properties of Hamer Hall have definitely been enhanced by the renovation, the experience of a performance is unduly influenced by where you are sitting, especially when a performer directs the sound unevenly. Fortunately, Skride played out to the audience without undue movement. Not that she is a static performer; grace and expressiveness are present in both her demeanour and her playing.
Some of the most satisfying moments of the evening were provided in the item after interval with Stravinsky’s The Firebird: Suite. Generally speaking, the orchestra appeared to be more comfortable and at one in this piece than they had been in Debussy’s Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun. With careful attention to detail, Diego Matheuz’ precise style drew fine playing both from the full orchestra and featured orchestral soloists. The horn solos of Sam Jacobs, who was appearing as Principal horn courtesy of New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, were simply glorious. There were also a number of excellent contributions from principal wind and string players, especially from Jeffrey Crellin on oboe and Wilma Smith on violin.
It was clear from the way the orchestra responded to Matheuz, both during and at the conclusion of the concert, that this relationship is one of the greatest warmth and respect. That kind of close rapport bodes well for an exciting and productive future together. In the short term, we can be confident that the next two concerts in the Russian Festival series will be very rewarding experiences.
Rating: 4 ½ stars out of 5
The Russian Festival: The Firebird
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Diego Matheuz, conductor
Baiba Skride, violin
Debussy: Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun
Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto
Stravinsky: The Firebird: Suite (1945)
Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall
7 August
