Four Seasons
Concert-goers were treated last night to a unique blend of musical styles with Baroque composer Vivaldi's classic example of one of the earliest forms of 'program' music (music designed to evoke an image) being coupled with a selection of Argentinian composer Piazzolla's avant garde tangos, arranged for solo violin and string orchestra by Ukranian-born Leonid Desyatnikov. Entitled The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires, Desyatnikov interwove elements of Vivaldi's masterwork into his re-arrangement and orchestration of Piazzolla's innovative style to create his own interpretation of the four seasons in reverse, a quasi hemispheric flip rather fitting for Argentina's (and indeed Australia's) geographical location.
The juxtaposition of the two throughout program worked well, with Vivadi's more picture-postcard feeling of serenity being placed next to Piazzolla's contrasting emotional and earthy rhythmic style, particularly evident with various forms of interesting percussive sounds being created by the players striking the strings below the bridge with the bow, amidst other acrobatics.
This program was a mammoth undertaking for QSO Concertmaster and soloist Natsuko Yoshimoto, with sixteen contrasting movements to play, some quite technically demanding. Nevertheless, she coasted through each movement with a fluidity, dexterity and grace well matched to the international platform and much to the delight of the capacity house. Ms Yoshimoto studied in England at the Yehudi Menuhin School and Royal Northern College of Music, has guested throughout the world, made recordings, won many awards and also teaches at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music. We are most fortunate to have such a renowned performer as part of our orchestral family here in Queensland.
What was also intriguing about the concept of this concert was the idea to draw the audience into the world of the string section by creating a feeling of intimacy: no conductor, just the lead soloist as director who also invited the orchestra to discuss and contribute to the program's interpretation and ultimate creation throughout rehearsal. So what we have here, in a sense, is 'Composer/Arranger (three in this case)-Performer-Public' being rolled into one.
And it worked.
Brian Adamson
Photographer: Pete Wallis.
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