Symphony orchestra

Press, 19 March 1984, Page 8

Symphony orchestra

Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Georg Tintner, in the fourth concert of the 1983-84 Concert Series at the Town Hall Auditorium, March 17, 8 p.m. Reviewed by Philip Norman.

The Town Hall Auditorium was filled with a wonderful sense of occasion on Saturday evening.

This was because of the capacity audience, the presence of the Governor-Gen-eral, Sir David Beattie, and Lady Beattie, the use of the combined choirs of the Royal Christchurch Musical Society and the Christchurch Harmonic Society, and the authoritative conducting of Georg Tintner.. Without the commanding playing of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, however, all the festive atmosphere and spirit would have amounted to little. The orchestra gave a generally

excellent account of the two Beethoven works presented — the second symphony and the mighty ninth. The simpler, classical lines of the earlier symphony were undoubtedly better suited to the orchestra’s temperament. An assured, well balanced opening movement led to a finely drawn, expressive Larghetto. The scherzo third movement dubbled pleasingly and was capped by an energetic, good-humoured closing Allegro Molto. While the suspect pitching ,of bare fourths and fifths exposed by the wind instruments marred the opening movement of the Choral Symphony, all was quickly forgiven in the face of a brisk and lively molto vivace. Decisive, crisply delivered timpani work was a feature of this gaily tripping second movement. Concentration seemed to

take a little holiday in the slow-pulsed third movement, in preparation, no doubt, for the heavy demands of the material to follow.

Only the most stonyhearted patron could claim not to be affected by the magnificent sounds that erupted from the orchestra and 300-voice choir alike in the fourth movement. Moments of rhythmic insecurity and an out-of-phase tenor solo aside, this movement, with its celebrational sounds and text, had tremendous impact. The energy and intensity generated by the performers were staggering. Encouraged by an untiring Mr Tintner, the exuberance was harnessed and firmly shaped into a sustained, joyous climax. It was an inspiring close to a most exciting evening of quality music.