BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE
‘Faust Mendelssohn’
Works by Dvorak, Debussy, and Mendelssohn
Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra with Isabelle Faust
Federation Concert Hall, 1 August
Five Preludes by Debussy opened the concert with an arrangement by Zender in which most sections were given a balanced chance to shine. The opening ‘Voiles’ lacked delicacy but for the final sustained note, though the ‘La danse de Puck’ was quite the opposite and a comical ‘General Lavine – eccentric’ called for a few giggles and claps from the audience. ‘Des pas sur la neige’ was both pleasant and mournful – suitable night time music and a respectful introduction for Isabelle Faust.
Holding her Stradivarius violin, Faust went on to present an impressive Violin Concerto by Mendelssohn and, despite her technical skills, perhaps her most standout quality was a complete lack of ego. She gave us exactly what needed to be heard – no more or less.
Faust moved rigidly but projected a clear tone with fluttery vibrato. Her playing was so light that she cleverly left me wanting to hear more of it. A seamless performance showing endurance as well as good ensembleship. The orchestra provided fantastic support and balance as one movement flowed into another and Faust played with utter assurance. She seemed entirely aware of the capabilities of her instrument and after pushing along in the catchy final movement received hearty applauds and a bouquet she accepted with a charming awkwardness.
Dvorak’s ninth symphony ‘From the New World’ was performed post-interval and I must inform you upfront of my complete bias – I love this work. It is one of my absolute favourite symphonies. Conductor Marko Letonja did its opening justice – building the suspense found within smaller phrases and broader. The second movement had a few intonation issues but was moving nevertheless. The ‘Scherzo’ (I was just about jumping about in my seat in anticipation) was brought enormously to life by the string section and after the Jaws-like opening of the ‘Allegro con fuoco’ I was hooked on the masterfully reinstated themes until the final, excruciatingly gentle note. Another knock-out performance from the TSO.
Image supplied.
