[LJ2ME] BeeCycle
The Beethoven Symphony Cycle project by the SSO was closed with an all-Beethoven programme on Friday, with the Piano Concerto No 4 and Symphonies Nos 7 and 8 featured.
Pianist Mari Kodama starred in the concerto which unfortunately I am not in a position to comment since I somehow managed to fall asleep throughout the work. Note here the descriptive used in place of "catch some shuteye" as it was full-scale weird-dreams slumber, only to wake intermittently to see her tease the keyboard and tame it into submission.
When I was conscious, what I heard paled in comparison to the potential and actual merits of the work. She seemed cowed by the piece and though she admirably tackled it with aplomb and suitable gusto, she lacked the transcendental element to value add to the reading.
In the symphonies, Lan Shui continued his brisker-than-usual tempo, serving up a reading different from the norm. Good different I guess. That said, the intimate sound appeared to be constricted by the acoustics, and though the dynamics of the various sections were distinct, it somehow failed to deliver a more cohesive and congruent performance.
It was however, half the battle already won with the sheer genius of the composer making its presence felt from the score. The optimistic streak running through both penultimate works was a pick-me-up with the relentless thrust and energetic propulsion of the music.
The season's only half through, but one is already entertaining hopes for the next. A Bruckner symphony cycle?
Pianist Mari Kodama starred in the concerto which unfortunately I am not in a position to comment since I somehow managed to fall asleep throughout the work. Note here the descriptive used in place of "catch some shuteye" as it was full-scale weird-dreams slumber, only to wake intermittently to see her tease the keyboard and tame it into submission.
When I was conscious, what I heard paled in comparison to the potential and actual merits of the work. She seemed cowed by the piece and though she admirably tackled it with aplomb and suitable gusto, she lacked the transcendental element to value add to the reading.
In the symphonies, Lan Shui continued his brisker-than-usual tempo, serving up a reading different from the norm. Good different I guess. That said, the intimate sound appeared to be constricted by the acoustics, and though the dynamics of the various sections were distinct, it somehow failed to deliver a more cohesive and congruent performance.
It was however, half the battle already won with the sheer genius of the composer making its presence felt from the score. The optimistic streak running through both penultimate works was a pick-me-up with the relentless thrust and energetic propulsion of the music.
The season's only half through, but one is already entertaining hopes for the next. A Bruckner symphony cycle?