Schools’ orchestra

Press, 14 May 1984, Page 8

Schools’ orchestra

New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Symphony Orchestra Twenty-fifth Jubilee Concert. Conducted by Peter Zwartz with soloist Nicola Mantthan (violin). Presented at the Christchurch Teachers’ College Auditorium on Saturday, August 12, at 8 p.m. Reviewed by Julie Klaassens. A great tradition was established when the New Zealand Secondary Schools Orchestral Course, held annually in Christchurch during the May holidays, was introduced. In the course of a week, about 100 keen and able musicians from throughout New Zealand willingly submit to six hours rehearsal a day. On the sixth day a full-length concert is given, with outstanding results. Predominant in this Jubilee Concert was the energy of these young performers. Their vitality tapped the spirit of the works selected and they were firmly united in delivery.

Patriotism aside, Lilburn’s “Aotearoa” Overture

was an excellent choice for openers. It was given a thrilling performance. Players responded assertively to its bold, uncompromising statements and one sensed a great rapport between players and the musical ideas expressed in the work. This was the one element lacking in the concluding massed item, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 2 in C minor. Whereas the overture was attacked with intuitive understanding, the latter betrayed a feeling of bewilderment at the size and scope of unfamiliar ideas. Nevertheless, it was equally spirited in delivery and there were some fine solos in the opening movement. High praise was deserved for the soloists in the two concertos presented at this concert. Nicola Mantthan is a violinist of considerable talent and her performance of the taxing Bruch Violin Concerto was an obvious achievement. She shone in the lyrical slow movement, expressing warmth and depth of

emotion with flawless intonation.

Sharing the three movements of Rimsky-Korsa-kov’s Concerto for Trombone and Band were lain Hunter, Julian Brown, and Kevin Price. It was handled well by all soloists, especially the third movement, which met with deserved success.

With a polished, crisp performance of Grainger’s march “Over the Hills and Far Away,” thoughts unavoidably strayed over the programme as a whole. This piece had everything: life, variety of instrumentation, humour and, above all, it was superbly played. Sensing the satisfaction of the performers, one cannot deny the rewards of choosing a challenging, but attainable, work. It is this final touch which makes the effort so worth while. Full marks to the conductors, Peter Zwartz and Paul Mayhew, who led securely and with precision throughout. Let us hope that on the seventh day they rested.