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Bachtrack
/ January 2011
Kay Kempin
Part
of the King's Place Mozart Unwrapped series, the Aurora Orchestra delivered a
spellbinding performance Thursday night.
Due
to Sir Colin Davis' sudden illness, principal conductor Nicholas Collon stepped
in at the last minute to conduct the concert. While it would have been a unique
opportunity to see such an esteemed British conductor, Nicholas Collon was an
exciting substitution. Recently nominated for the prestigious South Bank Sky Arts/The
Times Breakthrough Award, Collon lived up to his reputation throughout the entirety
of the programme.
Right
from the onset, Collon set the stage for a dynamic and engaging performance. Comparable
to the vivacious style of Gustavo Dudamel, Collon's lively energy radiated from
the stage. Leading the orchestra as well as the audience, Collon broke down the
traditional barriers between conductor and audience, engaging them in the performance
and bringing to light all the facets of Mozart's genius.
Watching
Collon, it was easy to see the juxtaposition in Mozart's music between the quirky
and the sublime. With his innovative conducting style, Collon was able to present
Mozart both as an exemplary classical composer and as an experimental and energetic
young man.
Like
Collon, the Aurora Orchestra alongside soloists Fflur Wyn (soprano) and Thomas
Gould (violin) commanded attention with their depth of musicality. In the concert
aria Vorrei spiegarvi, oh Dio!, K418, Wyn reached the perilous high E with grace,
easily transitioning to lower notes and achieving a playful tone throughout the
song. In the Violin Concerto No. 5 in A, K219, Thomas Gould's performance burst
with expressivity. Producing a range of sounds, from long, fluid lines to short
staccatos, Gould performed with utmost sophistication. Finally, the Aurora Orchestra
dazzled the audience with the Linz Symphony, No. 36 in C, K425, performing with
a controlled frenetic energy and a high level of virtuosity. Exemplified within
the Turkish section of the piece, the orchestra and conductor achieved an extraordinary
feat: the audience could see Mozart's musical phrasing in their performance. Playing
and moving together, the Aurora Orchestra performed with an energy and physicality
unique to the concert stage.
Enthralling
both to watch and hear, the Aurora Orchestra launched Mozart Unwrapped with a
truly captivating performance.
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