4 stars
Billed as ‘Stephen Hough Performs Rachmaninov 1’, we are greeted first with the World Premier of Gordon Hamilton’s “A great big blue thing next to a smaller white thing – both bathed in sunrays”. That is, the earth and the moon. This four minute work was commissioned by the ‘50 Fanfares Commission’. Indeed, it is a bright and enthusiastic fanfare, a good opening to the evening. The fanfare begins with the brass, answered by the strings and followed by the winds. All very lively.
The Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 1 follows, the audience in keen anticipation to set eyes on the world famous Stephen Hough. He is the Rachmaninov master. His performances with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra are supported by philanthropists Carol and Tony Berg. We thank them and the Sydney Symphony for presenting this mesmerising interpretation of the Rachmaninov’s first piano concerto. Sergei wrote it at age 17 and at age 46 he revised it, the mature version performed by Hough.
The ‘Rach’ was followed by Erich Korngold’s 45 minute Symphony in F sharp, with five movements, each pretty much sounding alike. The second movement seemed like a dirge, or perhaps the Gods painstakingly dragging the sun across the sky on a chariot. The third movement began softly and peacefully then soon swept back to BIG sound and BIG brass – sweeps of sonority with little respite from the BIG.
There was a harpsichord, a harp and a piano but these were barely heard over the BIG sound. Korngold’s inclusion of the harp was a distraction and out of place. Korngold was a famous Hollywood movie composer – ‘Sea Hawk’ and ‘Sea Wolf’ among the many. His BIG sound is completely suitable for film. Korngold is credited with creating a new musical genre – movie music.
Full marks for the pre-concert talk. The presenter Rosie Gallagher created a relaxed atmosphere and gave us a bit of history, musical theory and suggestions for what to listen for in the concert. Just the right among of information and the right amount of time.
Somehow the combination of the delightful Hamilton, the mesmerising Rachmaninov and the BIG Korngold didn’t go
well as an all-embracing evening.
‘Stephen Hough Performs Rachmaninov 1’ is at the Sydney Opera House until May 20.
Featured image : Stephen Hough performing Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No 2 with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Pic by Craig Abercrombie
Review by Carol Dance
