Under the baton of Chief Conductor Umberto Clerici, Queensland Symphony Orchestra has launched its 2025 season with a treat of a performance at Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC).
During the first two works presented it felt wonderful to focus solely on the skills of the on-stage orchestra minus the responsibilities of a dance critic.
Composed and first performed to Parisian audiences in 1894, Claude Debussy’s Prelude to The Afternoon of a Faun is a mesmerising, pleasurable piece of music. Commencing with the flute solo – a graceful glide across the instrument’s chromatic scale – a sense of inquisitive wonder is immediately evoked.
The curious mood continues with the unmistakable, twinkling sound of a harp. On this occasion there were two of them. As the French horns also extended a warm welcome, the idyllic Eden was established.
The composition aptly encompasses the pondering mood of the Impressionist era. It was inspired by a poem written by Stephane Mallarme about a mythical faun frolicking through a forest and playing his pan pipes with joyful expertise. The composer has captured for orchestral performance this enchanting escapade into the idyllic.
Exquisitely performed by Queensland Symphony Orchestra, I felt every note of this wonder-filled work. During this intoxicating performance, I was in awe of the instrumental abilities of this, our state orchestra.
I was transported to an auditory utopia where the heavy weight of my duties as critic vanished. All was well. I knew there would be nothing to fault. French horns excluded, there’s a notable absence of brass and percussion in this work, except for one little triangle ringing out its notes with the clarity of crystal.
The brass and timpani players returned to the stage for the second performance: Ottorino Respighi’s Concerto Gregoriano for violin.
Soloist was Kristian Winther who is Artist in Residence with QSO for 2025. An outstanding violinist, Winther merged the poise of an accomplished musician with the passion of a player who is clearly master and lover of the instrument in hand.
The sound produced was achingly, exquisitely breath-taking. Winther has been loaned a gem of a violin. A lovely Parisian lady handcrafted in 1859 by Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume. A generous loan from the beautiful UKARIA Cultural Centre in South Australia.
As Winther played, I was delighted by the thought that this virtuoso violinist is here to stay with QSO for the rest of the year. Hopefully, that divine violin remains with him.
Following interval, the famed The Rite of Spring by Igor Stravinsky was performed. Its controversial, riotous past is behind it. The composition has survived all opposing forces. We are blessed to be able to enjoy this balletic work in all its rebellious, bohemian glory.
The original ballet performed to the music was choreographed by Nijinsky. Instead of a ballet company, we feasted on the daring feats of Circa. Since its establishment in 2004, the Brisbane based company has toured globally. The physically powerful and perfect specimens in the ensemble have been selected from a variety of countries.
This was the first time I have seen this remarkable, contemporary movement company perform. They are an impressive unit. Artistic Director and performer, Yaron Lifschitz is highly acclaimed and much awarded for his visionary work. His ensemble have varied relevant backgrounds in gymnastics, acrobatics, dance, rock climbing, diving and parkour
Accustomed to the precision, space and grace of ballet, it was awesome to watch this company of powerhouses in action. Physicality and strength were tested to extremes. It was daring and dangerous. I was fascinated by their courageous, kinetic approach to free movement and use of performance space.
They clustered, coupled, scattered and threw each other around. They did sprint circuits around the stage. They built human towers with their bodies. They combined speed, strength and energy with balance and immobility. I enjoyed the physical performance.
The Rite of Spring
Concert Hall – QPAC, Cultural Precinct, South Bank (Brisbane)
Performance: Saturday 22 February 2025
Information: www.qso.com.au
Image: Chief Conductor Umberto Clerici with Artists of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and Circa – photo by Sam Muller
Review: Michele-Rose Boylan