Last night Willoughby Symphony invited us to share in “Wonder”, an evening of much loved music and the final concert of the year for Chief Conductor Nicholas Milton. (Not the last concert for the orchestra though – see Related Links below.) It was a simple program with one major work for each half of the concert.
To begin, the orchestra featured an astounding young Australian violinist who has already been making a name for himself in Europe. Edward Walton began learning violin at the age of 3. By the time he was 11, he made his international orchestral debut with the West Bohemian Symphonie Orchestra in Czech Republic.
At the age of 13, he won first prize in Italy’s prestigious Il Piccolo Violino Magico International Competition. Continuing with competitions he won the Grand Prize in the Virtuoso Competition, UK and second place in the Junior Division of the 2021 Menuhin International Violin Competition. A supremely talented young artist, Walton is now 18 years old studying in Vienna. A number of guest solo spots with orchestras from the UK, around Europe and here in Australia have helped refine his stagecraft.
Walton’s genius has been officially recognised by the Beare’s International Violin Society who have lent him a Gennaro Gagliano violin for his performances. Modelled on Stradivari, this maker’s instruments sell between $100,000 and $1 million. That’s a quite a loan.
In our concert, Walton was introduced by Milton as an up-and-coming superstar. Striding onto the stage, Walton has a tall, lean build with an elfin face and funky hair that he would ruffle occasionally in the breaks of his solos. It’s a physical profile that is unique and will become easily recognisable from a distance. One can imagine this artist growing a large following, if only he used social media. We can only find an Instagram channel with followers waiting for some news.
Walton performed Brahms Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 77, a much loved and well known piece of three movements. Walton threw himself into the fierce opening passages, closing his eyes and submerging himself in the work. He would sometimes drop his head, disappearing under a long, choppy fringe. He lived the music and seemed to forget the audience, swaying along with the emotive phrases. Occasionally a mischievous grin would flicker across his face in the fun bits.
The playing appeared quite tight in the opening movement but the wonderful support offered by conductor Milton soon calmed his nerves. By the second movement, after an exceptional first cadenza, Walton’s vibrato relaxed and the playing expanded.
The second movement also featured some lovely playing by the orchestra woodwind section, whilst the final Allegro giocoso movement was played boldly, flying over the notes and knocking the socks off the audience. Walton received wonderful applause and three curtain calls. Brilliant work. We look forward to seeing him perform again.
The second half featured the most recognisable classical work in the world. Milton threw the orchestra into Beethoven’s 5th at speed. The joy of listening to this piece in The Concourse is the magnificent acoustics that are rarely found in any other Sydney concert venue. The loud parts do not echo for too long whilst in the quieter, more intimate parts, we can hear every part, the interaction between instruments and how they blend together. In most other venues these parts are swallowed up, whereas the intimate venue allows us all to sit quite close to the orchestra so that we are essentially all in this together.
Each of the four movements was so very enjoyable. There is good reason for Beethoven’s 5th to be famous. It’s not just those opening notes. Where many other symphonies drag on with “fillers” or repeats, every movement is interesting from front to end. There is no time for boredom, it is absorbing and highly entertaining. The orchestra were clearly enjoying themselves and worked hard under Milton’s baton.
The audience loved it and were in high spirits as they left the auditorium.
Bravo, Willoughby Symphony and bravo, Edward Walton. Thank you for a great night out.
Check the Orchestra’s website below for details on their Christmas concert in a couple of weeks.
Program
BRAHMS – Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 77
BEETHOVEN – Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67
Artists
Willoughby Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Nicholas Milton
Violin Soloist: Edward Walton
Related Links
Edward Walton’s Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/edward_walton.violin/
Edward Walton interview on 2MBS Fine Music Radio 20 November 2024 (If you are looking for this at a much later date than when our review is posted, you will need to scroll down. The interviews are listed chronologically.) https://www.2mbsfinemusicsydney.com/programs/inconversation/
Edward Walton at 13 years old winning Italy’s Il Piccolo Violino Magico International Competition https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DT92zCGdaY
Upcoming concerts from Willoughby Symphony: https://www.willoughbysymphony.com.au/Events
