Supported by the superb playing of the magnificent Australian Brandenburg Orchestra,led by maestro Paul Dyer,on their period instruments,this particular concert was a delightful excuse to continue their 25th birthday celebrations and showcase the amazing, dazzling talents of guest director and performer, Dmitry Sinkovsky.
Sinkovsky performed on an exquisite Francesco Ruggeri violin made in Cremona in 1675, and made available to him by the Netherlands-based Jumpstart Jr Foundation. Most of the works performed were by Vivaldi, with Dyer energetically and enthusiastically leading from the harpsichord.
The selected works on the program were all extremely difficult and are rarely heard. The orchestra was superb and played divinely,- there was fine ensemble work and a glorious,warm tone. I agree with one of my colleagues who thought that the orchestra were shaken, stirred and inspired by Sinkovsky’s exuberant playing.
This is Sinkovsky’s first tour of Australia and the reception was rapturous. He is greatly in demand internationally, his brilliant career commencing following his graduation from the Conservatoire of Moscow in 2005. He is both a virtuoso violinist and an enthralling, dramatic counter tenor and both these talents shone through.Sinkovsky sings and dances as he plays, he conducts his own band and now he teaches violin and viola at the Moscow Conservatoire!
Critics and overseas audiences who have witnessed his performances, praise his ability to both play and sing from the heart. He has been described as presenting instrumental performances that ‘radiate razor sharp finesse, virtuosity and purity’ with a voice that resonates with ‘crystal-clear intonation’. Tall, broad shoulders with hypnotic eyes, he gives himself to the music, sways, dances and bends.
The opening work was Vivaldi’s Concerto in C Major, RV177, at times soaring and angelic, where Sinkovsky revealed his blistering yet delicate, passionate, speedy fingering. For this work he was severe in orchestral black, his long hair caught back in a sleek ponytail. In the third movement he led the dialogue between the various sections of the orchestra.
Next was Corelli’s delicate Concerto Grosso Op6 No 11 with its slow, stately opening and rather lush warm tone. Sinkovsky’s playing soared with pathos and sensitivity. Some of it had quite a bouncy feel, some was far more haunting and melancholy. The concluding third movement was quite brisk and had a dance like feel.
This led to the Vivaldi Concerto in D Minor RV246 which featured wonderful ensemble work and yet more shimmering, virtuoso violin displays by Sinkovsksy. The second movement has a dramatic, quite operatic opening and then turned lyrical, though at other times the playing was storm tossed and tempestuous.
After interval we saw another side to Sinkovsky, who became a wild, passionate Byronic counter tenor hero for Vivaldi’s astonishing ‘Cessai , Omai Cessate ‘, cantata RV 684 for alto strings where his fabulous voice and impassioned performance (he also played the violin for a short dazzling solo for one verse !) brought the house down.
After the stage was reset, cellist Jamie Hey was featured in Vivaldi’s marvelous Cello Concerto in A minor RV 421 , vibrant , with flurries on the accompanying strings and ending with the ensemble playing exuberantly. Hey’s performance was exquisite and subtly understated.Dyer accompanied on the organ.
Officially the final piece was Vivaldi’s ‘Per Pisendel ‘, his concerto in D Minor RV 242 , another chance for more bravura solos and dazzling playing by Sinkovsky as he channeled his inner Paganini. Ravishing. There were screams, cheers and thunderous wild applause.
For the first encore Sinkovsky gave a passionate, achingly beautiful rendition of the aria ‘Cara Sposo ‘ from Handel’s ‘ Rinaldo’ , in tribute to those killed on Malaysian airline flight MH17. The audience was in the palm of his hand, transfixed. You could have hear a pin drop.
His second encore was the scurrying, pulsating ‘Winter ‘ from Vivaldi’s ‘Four Seasons’, at times sounding quite ominous.
The final encore was Albinoni’s delicate and haunting ‘Pianta Bella’. A wonderful ending to a sensational concert.
Running time 2 hours 20 mins (approx) one interval
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