Phil tries big sound with Watts at the keys

The legend returns: Andre Watts plays Grieg
Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
Cultural Centre Concert Hall
October 15, 2011

Old-school playing of a most beloved piano concerto has returned, with a veteran American pianist winning great cheers for his powerful performance on Saturday.

Andre Watts (pictured), at 65, produced a strong reading of the Grieg Piano Concerto, matched by the Hong Kong Philharmonic in full force. The full-on approach was clear from the first chord, with the big timpani pounding - a sound that differs from outgoing music director Edo de Waart's delicate timbre.

The big sound in the grand romantic tradition created much excitement, especially in those risk-taking virtuosic passages such as the first movement cadenza.

The full string section began with an atmospheric touch in the opening piece, The Swan of Tuonela by Sibelius. The timbre might have lacked the dark, brooding sonority that the composer marked in the score. But it nevertheless provided a solid line for the cor anglais to glide on and Sarah Harper did well in singing the long solo passage.

German-American conductor Andreas Delfs, who led the Phil for the second week as a contender to be the next chief, chose a taxing work for the try-out. Stravinsky's Firebird Suite is in the Phil's regular repertoire, but the complete version is not, and the performance showed it.