Wellington Youth Sinfonietta
Twentieth Anniversary Concert 2012
Music Director Michael Vinten
Assistant Conductor – Vincent Hardaker
Soloist – Blythe Press – violin
St Andrew’s on The Terrace 11 November 2012
Reviewed by Garth Wilshere
Concerts such as these with young exuberant and talented players are always
heart-warming and with an orchestra celebrating its twentieth anniversary
under its founding director Michael Vinten it is especially so.
Exciting too was a soloist, Blythe Press, who had played in the orchestra preteens, to become its leader at thirteen. He remained in that position for three
years before going on to tertiary study; now having recently graduated with a
Masters degree from the university in Graz, Austria.
And a new work commissioned from a former clarinetist in the orchestra,
Natalie Hunt, combined with some alumni, now NZSO players in the
Sinfonietta for this concert, made this a very special occasion which lived up
to expectations.
This orchestra has always maintained a mentoring role, with former players
who had their first orchestral experience here in this orchestra now in
orchestras all over the world including New Zealand and Australia.
Mentoring young conductors has been a function too, and for this concert
university student, assistant conductor, Vincent Hardaker conducted excerpts
from Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake”. This was a creditable, vibrant performance
of well-recognised themes. For young players the large string section made a
good, rich, suitably “Russian” sound, with nice wind, brass and percussion
contributions. A few guests helped to fill some instrumental gaps, but the
essence was provided by the youthful players.
Hunt’s intriguing commission “Cirrus” had an appropriate wispy, swirly sound
to suit the title. With a quirky retro feel, and lovely jazzy episodes and slurs on
trumpet, an unusual piano line and an exotic oriental quality, almost film-score
like, all playing out over an insistent minimalist ground. This ws an
accomplished composition. The orchestra acquitted themselves well, giving a
complete, if not quite perfect performance. It is a piece I liked very much and
want to hear again.
Press has a warm, engaging, sweet tone exhibiting exquisite musicality, and
his Beethoven Violin Concerto was affecting, and sensitively and beautifully
done. Vinten was scrupulous in support getting the orchestra to maintain and
sustain the tension in a long work. He was alert to Press’s needs giving
sensitive support and the whole was a lovely, optimistic performance,
understandably for young players not perfect, but uplifting and exhilarating.