Orchestral concert

Press, 18 June 1982, Page 4

Orchestral concert

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra conducted by Michi Inoue, with soloists, pianists and the Harmonic Choir,.at the Town Hall, June 17. Reviewed by Heath Lees.

It wis a work of logistic genius to have Stravinsky’s “Les' Noces" played on the hundredth anniversary - to the day - of the composer's birth.-

This exciting music provides one of the few bridges between Stravinsky's passionate, Russian style and his later cooling-down into the more obviously European mould that came to be labelled Neo-Classicism.

The apparent simplicity of three-note scales, and other genuine folk elements are united with highly sophisticated rhythm schemes which present a daunting task for the players.. But when it all comes together, it does so with a nerve-tingling effect. Percussionists, pianists, and soloists showed enormous assurance, and the choir, despite the occasional over-

refined sound, was energetic and incisive. Gradually one became aware of the monumental grandeur of the work — a quality that makes the comparable efforts of Milhaud or Orff seem tame.

We were lucky to have such a piece mounted in spite of all the difficulties that must have hedged it about; its success is its own justification. Much of the success should of course be credited to the conductor. So be it. But it was something of a surprise to see the amount of ballet in his style on this occasion. The Haydn symphony which opened the programme had a sparkling performance. which no doubt owed much to the players and to the rehearsals. The sculptural posturing from the podium was marvellous to watch, but tended to interfere with Haydn. Brahm’s 2nd Piano Concerto, which closed the programme, encountered similar problems from time to time in the form of the

soloist, Mark Zeltser, who attacked the piano with such force that one wondered why the other four pianos had not been left on stage, to act as replacements. The pianistic approach included stamping with the feet, rather in the manner of a demented cyclist, and of course the' orchestra was at something of a loss in knowing how to match this hectic treatment.

Thankfully, the third and fourth . movements settled down, and included beautifully deft touches which went some way towards redeeming the whole, but one was left with the feeling that it had been overblown and overdone.

On the other hand, perhaps the Stravinsky was so exciting that it was difficult to settle down to any other item on the programme. . All in all, the evening had its highs and lows, but the opportunity to hear "Les Noces" in performance was itself worth the ticket.