This latest concert by Willoughby Symphony was performed and filmed in August at the Concourse with a very reduced audience and Orchestra because of Covid. Social distancing was enforced.
It was energetically and enthusiastically conducted by Dr Nicholas Milton with his usual precise, dramatic control. The Orchestra was heavily reduced, using ‘ just’ the strings section. We also were treated to some glorious singing and acting by the splendid young artists of Pacific Opera.
The concert was a celebration of Mozart’s music with some extra, popular tidbits by other composers, some of which have almost become Willoughby Symphony’s signature pieces.
First we heard Grieg’s Praeludium from his Holberg Suite Op. 40 which took the concert off to a brisk start with its emphatic strings . It was tumbling and bristling with a question and answer between the violins section and the other strings.
Then a major segment from MOZARTS The Magic Flute K620. The quintet alluded to Covid with one of the tenors wearing a facemask at one stage and clearing his throat. The tongue twisting Pa Pa PaPageno duet for Papageno and Papagena was much fun, bright and bouncy and delightfully sung.
The Ah! Perdona al prima duet from Mozarts’s La Clemenza del Tito K 621 was next, rich, flowing passionate and intense.
Then came a haunting, lyrical version ( yet with robust strings ) of Percy Grainger’s Irish Tune from County Derry ( aka Danny Boy).
Back to Mozart with excerpts from his Don Giovanni K527. First, a fiery furious vigorous Crudele Fidete Cruzzi duet. Then the melting, seductive and lyrical La Ci Darem la Mano.
We then heard from Mozarts’s Marriage of Figaro K 492 – scintillating, terrifically sung, the difficult flourishes elegantly handled. There was a magnificent blend of voices with both the Countess and Susanna in the Sull’aria. The entire opera cast joined in for the thrilling, tumultuous finale to Figaro.
An infectious, breathlessly excited Pizzicato Polka by Johan and Joseph Strauss followed, Dr Milton on the xylophone!
Tchaikovsky’s rich, swirling Serenade for Strings 11 OP 48 Valse was given a finely polished performance.
The concert concluded with a yearning, rather somber Mozart Vesperae Soleness de Confessore Ludate Dominum K 399, utilising the entire opera cast and the strings lamenting and flowing underneath.
The concert was filmed at the Concourse Chatswood on 22nd August 2020.
Running time just under an hour.
https://www.willoughby.nsw.gov.au/Events/Willoughby-Symphony-Orchestra-presents-A-Mozart-Celebration
Hosted on the web address below, the concert will premiere on YouTube and Facebook on Sunday October 11 at 2pm and will then be available to watch again at your leisure.
https://www.willoughby.nsw.gov.au/Events/Willoughby-Symphony-Orchestra-presents-A-Mozart-Celebration