Russian violinist a rare treat for music lovers
Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, last night and tonight.
World-class soloists have been few and far between during this season of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, but this weekend there is a chance to hear a Russian musician described as 'the greatest living violinist' in a recent review in a German newspaper.
Vadim Repin has an astounding technique. His playing is big, bold and overpowering at times.
Last night he played the well-known Violin Concerto No 1 in G minor, Opus 26, by Max Bruch in full Romantic style.
The impassioned first movement was followed without a break by a highly expressive slow movement in which Repin's impeccable mastery and singing tone could not be faulted.
The third movement had a vibrancy to it and a whole range of emotion was exquisitely expressed - hope, anger, passion and, finally, exuberance.
The audience would not let him leave until he had played two encores: Paganini's fiendish variations on The Carnival of Venice and Bach's Sarabande from his Partita in D minor, BWV 1004.
The other highlight of the evening was a performance of Cesar Franck's Symphony in D minor, the French composer's only symphony. It is a work short in duration but big in memorable themes and noble sentiment.
Under the clear direction of music director David Atherton, the orchestra handled the many changes in tempo and mood pretty well and there were some delightful woodwind solos.
In contrast, Mendelssohn's Sinfonia No 10 in B minor sounded somewhat tepid. The orchestra was cut down to just over 20 players and the concert master, Barry Wilde, directed from the leader's chair.
Unfortunately, such a sparse ensemble revealed minor flaws but the irresistible attractiveness of this juvenile work made it a good opener to a highly enjoyable concert.
