Saturday night’s concert, MET SERIES 3, opened with a performance of Sibelius’ Valse Triste. The soft & delicate opening made one realise that the The Independent Theatre at North Sydney is an ideal venue for The Metropolitan Orchestra and its forty odd musicians. This was its maiden performance following the rebranding as TMO, The Metropolitan Orchestra. It was formerly known as the Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra

The Metropolitan Orchestra has a philosophy of breaking down the traditional barriers that often keep people away from classical music concerts. By performing their subscription series away from major city centres and focusing on smaller, local venues, it hopes to create a greater sense of intimacy and involvement for audience members.

Valse Triste was originally composed as part of a suite of incidental music to his brother-in-law Arvid Järnefelt’s play Kuolema and this short and very popular piece was an excellent choice to open the concert.

For Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64 the orchestra was joined by violin soloist Katherine Lukey. This popular concerto is renowned as an important part of the violin repertoire. Ms Lukey, as well as displaying the technical mastery required, was powerful and emotive in her delivery.

After the interval we were treated to Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6, the Pastoral Symphony, a very popular choice and one well suited to the TMO’s philosophy of bringing accessible music to local audiences.

Beethoven found refuge in the midst of nature where he jotted down themes inspired by the trill of birds, the trickling of creeks or the rustle of leaves, and from this inspiration he composed many of his most significant works.

Principal flautist Svetlana Yaroslavksaya is perhaps the outstanding performer in this piece but the entire orchestra produces a sublime sound that filled the Independent Theatre and brought great pleasure to the audience. The applause for the impressive conductor, Sarah-Grace Williams, and for the whole orchestra, ably demonstrated this.

MET SERIES 3 was performed at The Independent Theatre, 26th May and at the Balmain Town Hall on the 27th May, 2012.

© Mark Pigott

27th May, 2012

Tags: Sydney Classical Music Reviews- MET SERIES 3, The Independent Theatre, North Sydney, Sydney Arts Guide, Mark Pigott.