24th March 2006 at 7.30pm
Nemanja Radulovic - Violin
Conductor: Brian Wright
Prokofiev - Suite, Lieutenant Kije
Khatchaturian - Violin Concerto
Tchaikovsky - Symphony No.2 'Little Russian'
An off-stage trumpet signalled the start of an exhilarating evening of music making at Mote Hall on Saturday, March 24th. The Maidstone Symphony Orchestra, with guest leader Paul Manley, played a varied programme of Russian music that gave ample opportunity for individual members to shine in short solo passages, as well as demonstrating the tight and crisp ensemble playing they achieve under their conductor Brian Wright, who had also introduced the concert with a few well chosen words.
The opening suite from Prokofiev’s “Lieutenant Kije” immediately set the tone for the evening. The clear rapport between the conductor and orchestra produced precise playing and a careful balance of the many interesting sonorities that Prokofiev conjures up in his score.
The orchestra was then joined by Nemanja Radulovic as soloist in the violin concerto by Khachaturian. What a star! His flamboyant playing style was ideally suited to the music, which he clearly relished playing with a stunning show of easy virtuosity and an almost constant smile. A clear winner with both audience and orchestra alike, it was a joy to listen to this characterful playing and to watch him interact with the orchestra throughout. Soloist, orchestra and conductor moulded a performance together that communicated the sheer joy of music making. The thunderous applause that greeted this was the only reaction possible for an audience after such an exhilarating musical ride.
There was no rest for the orchestra after the interval as Brian Wright directed them in a lively performance of Tchaikovsky’s “Little Russian” Symphony. After the slow introduction the first movement set off at a cracking pace, which contrasted nicely with the quirky march that makes up the second movement. This movement fades out as its tune fragments and passes through various sections of the orchestra.
The scherzo and trio is another movement that has an interesting ending, where Tchaikovsky mixes triple and duple rhythms, and this was smoothly and tidily handled. The finale of this extrovert work really took off and brought the concert to a breathtaking conclusion.
Thanks are due to the orchestra, conductor, leader and soloist for a superb evening of exciting music, one which whets the appetite for the next concert when we can look forward to core symphonic repertoire played with such enthusiasm and commitment.
Review by Duncan Lord
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the previously advertised soloist, Barry Wilde was unavailable to play for us, and was replaced by Nemanja Radulovic giving his UK concerto debut.