Siam Chamber Orchestra's Inaugural Concert
Inaugeral Performance of the SCO a Roaring Success
Oct 21, 2008
A maiden concert is a voyage of discovery for orchestra, conductor and audience, and the inaugural concert of the Siam Chamber Orchestra was a delightful cruise through a selection of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s best-loved pieces. Both orchestra and soloists gave flawless and bravura performances.
Royal Overseas League
The concert, was supported by the Royal Overseas League (ROSL) and the Nai Lert Park Hotel and held in the superb surroundings of the hotel’s Grand Ball Room.
Wielding the baton was the acclaimed and multi-talented Richard Harvey; whose direction gave full voice to the talents of the orchestra and its players. Mr. Harvey’s extensive experience in composition, performance and conducting, was apparent from the very opening chords of a bravura rendition of the overture to the Marriage of Figaro.
Marriage of Figaro
This most favourite of Mozart’s operas with its tales of young love and rekindled love has been enchanting opera-goers for two centuries, this performance was excellent setting the scene for what was a series admirable recitals. From the opening chords to the final notes the Figaro was played with gusto, with the madly scurrying strings and the fruity bassoons producing a lively, vivacious burst of energy that was the perfect curtain raiser.
Sinfonio Concertante
The second piece was a virtuoso recital of the Sinfonia Concertante for violin and viola, expertly performed by Leo Philips on the violin and Nian Liu on the Viola. Mr. Philips has a long and distinguished career as a violinist having played with Britain’s Nash Ensemble and the London Philharmonic, Mr. Liu teaches at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music.
With its violin and viola soloists the piece is not exactly a concerto and not quite a symphony, in today’s parlance I suppose it would be called a cross-over. It opens up on a symphonic note though with its use of horns and oboes.
The duo-soloists interacted perfectly with each other and with the orchestra which acted almost as soloist itself. From the opening allegro maestoso to the closing sprightly presto with its winds and horns taking centre stage, the whole performance was excellent both the soloists playing with a mutual regard and energy.
Clarinet Concerto
The Clarinet Concerto is Mozart at the peak of his creative powers with an abundance of inspired themes was a perfect vehicle for Richard Harvey to display his virtuoso talents. Mr Harvey showed the full warmth and majesty of this piece in both its poignant and exuberant passages.
The Jupiter
Mozart’s final symphony, the Jupiter, was played with a deftness and assurance of an experienced ensemble. Every facet of the piece was lovingly nurtured, every melodic line shaped and every inner voice controlled to give a memorable interpretation of this grand symphony.
In a city sometimes lacking live western classical music we can thank Bangkok’s Nai Lert Park Hotel for holding this joyful concert and to express appreciation and a silent ‘bravo’: long may the Siam Chamber Orchestra its director and the ROSL continue to enthrall.
