BY CELINE CHONG
Piano Power
Queensland Symphony Orchestra with Jean-Efflam Bavouzet (piano), Daniel Blendulf (conductor)
QPAC, 17 February
The opening concert of The Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s 2018 Maestro series promised equal parts finesse, sparkle, and pure orchestral might. With special guest pianist Jean Efflam-Bavouzet, the stage was set to light up.
To start the program (and the season!) was none other than Glinka’s Overture to Ruslan and Ludmila. With each crisp, running semiquaver of the strings, the excitement in the air was palpable. There couldn’t have been a better choice to begin the season, and with conductor Daniel Blendulf, the QSO made sure that each one of us were in eager anticipation for rest of the evening.
Debussy’s Fantaisie for Piano and Orchestra was next, and Bavouzet truly shone. His lightness and clarity of tone took centre stage, as the flurry of notes created beautiful ripples and cascades of sound. So much so that we were treated to an encore – at the interval! Choosing to stick with Debussy, Bavouzet’s rendition of L’isle Joyeuse was also stunning, to say the least.
Being a master of the French piano repertoire, Ravel was his next choice for the program, naturally. The Piano Concerto for Left Hand is a formidable work, and it is certainly a sight to see such virtuosic playing – with only one hand! What became particularly enjoyable was unity between orchestra and soloist, and Bavouzet’s enjoyment at the piano was on display for all.
Finally, Scriabin’s Symphony No.4 The Poem of Ecstasy closed the program. It was here that the QSO showed off its versatility. The unusual harmonies, thick textures and complex writing for orchestra proved no trouble. The brass sections, especially, brought urgency and power, while the strings and winds highlighted the beauty in Scriabin’s unusual writing. There was a buzz through the audience at the close of the evening. Excitement was radiating through the hall – excitement for the performance just witnessed, and all the performances to come.
Image supplied.
