QSO, Haydn and Sibelius - Concert Review

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Fri 19 May 2017

It has been a long time since I have been to a performance by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra (QSO) ... much too long a time if their performance of Friday 19 May at QPAC's Concert Hall is anything to go by.


In an exclusive for the QSO the evening — part of their 2017 Maestro Series — featured two Australian debuts; emerging American Maestro Robert Trevino and the ICMA 2016 "Young Artist of the Year", Spanish cellist Pablo Ferrández. The program featured Dvo& #345 ;ák's rousing Carnival Overture, Haydn's Cello Concerto in C, and Symphony No.2 by Sibelius.

When I mentioned to a friend that I was going to the concert to 'see' the QSO, he responded "Don't you mean hear the QSO?". But herein lies one of the great beauties of live musical performances — the ability to see, as well as hear, everything that goes into creating a superb musical experience (and this was indeed a superb musical experience). It is so much more than merely hearing the set pieces. It is theatre from the moment the first musician appears on stage to the final thunderous applause.

The theatre began for us however, well before the first note was played, with a thoroughly entertaining and informative pre-concert presentation by Lachlan Snow (State Manager, Qld, Musica Viva Australia). Mr Snow, who is a music director and conductor in his own right, provided an insight into the evening's program to an enthusiastic audience. It was interactive and fun, and even had members of the audience performing their own conducting movements.

The theatre continued with the musicians wandering on to the stage, singly or in groups, tuning their instruments and greeting each other while concert-goers took their seats. Once Concert Master Warwick Adeney arrived on stage we were ready for the first of the evening's stars, conductor Robert Trevino, who was greeted with much applause.


The concert began with the effervescent Carnival Overture by Dvo& #345 ;ák (one of my favourite composers). Under the energetic and deft baton of Trevino this was a grand opening that swept between the joyous percussion-rich sounds of the carnival and the more reflective tones of the solitary wanderer observing it. It was delightful, and not just the music. It was a treat to watch the very physical involvement of Trevino, along with the musicians whose faces reflected both intense concentration and enjoyment. The audience clearly loved it.

We were next introduced to the talents of cellist Pablo Ferrández as soloist for the orchestra's performance of Haydn's Cello Concerto in C. The music, and Ferrández's dazzling performance, fully demonstrated the amazing range of the cello as an instrument. Ferrández's fingers danced up and down the fingerboard while his bow alternately caressed and flew across the strings, and his body swayed with the music. It was magical and beautifully supported by the orchestra. The audience, unwilling to let go at the end of the performance, drew a moving tribute to the legendary Pablo Casals as an encore.

After intermission, it was time for Finnish composer Sibelius' Symphony No.2. I have to admit that Sibelius is not ordinarily one of my favourite composers. While some parts were a bit fragmentary for my liking, the superb musicianship of this orchestra has given me a new appreciation of this work. The stirring final movement was sublime as the music rose and filled the concert hall and Trevino wielded the baton with alacrity. It was a truly beautiful performance that brought huge smiles to the faces of the musicians and conductor, as well as the highly appreciative audience. I was impressed by the obvious mutual admiration displayed by the musicians and the conductor, and rightly so.


What a night: musical excellence, soulfulness and theatre in bucketloads. I believe that a night with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra is the cure for whatever ails you. I couldn't recommend them more highly.

Buy tickets or find out more about the remaining performances for the orchestra's 2017 Maestro Series online here .

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!date 19/05/2017 -- 19/05/2017
%wnbrisbane