Michala Petri and the City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong

Michala Petri and the City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong HK City Hall Concert Hall Reviewed: Oct 11

This concert marked the orchestra's 10th anniversary; directed by chief conductor Jean Thorel, it passed the milestone in style. The unlikely mixture of works by Haydn, Sibelius, Vivaldi, Richard Harvey and Piazzolla proved highly satisfying.

Haydn's Symphony No 39, The Fist, opened more fretful than aggressive, but Thorel ensured the details were clear, creating nuances and well structured dynamics to grasp the sense of entertainment central to Haydn's output.

Sibelius melded two of his piano pieces to produce Impromptu for strings. The transcription works well and the performers responded by maintaining the bleak aura of the outer sections with playing that was beautifully atmospheric (below).

Soloist Michala Petri dispatched Vivaldi's Recorder Concerto, RV443 with her famous poise and dexterity, seeming to defy nature with her breath control. She followed through with the premiere of Concerto Incantato by Richard Harvey. Scored for strings, harp, flutes, clarinets, celeste and percussion, the five movements reflect Harvey's easy way with writing film music.

Piazzolla's Tanzago is a gripping, tango-inspired work. It has a lot to say for itself and this performance gave it full voice; colours and moods were well matched and featured some wonderful horn playing by Joe Kirtley and Jon Chromik.