ACO Soloists Review

Being a fine orchestral player and a captivating soloist require quite different skills. But in the ACO’s Soloists program, several principal players showed considerable finesse at both.

Timo-Veikko Valve was the soloist in C.P.E. Bach’s A Minor Cello Concerto. Crisp articulation, especially in the fastest passages, made the whole work seem to dance on tiptoe. Valve played with energy and ingenious precision, but several passages in his lower register were obscured by the orchestra.

In Matthew Hindson’s Crime and Punishment for double bass and strings (world premiere), Bassist Maxime Bibeau’s part involved a series of hair-raising technical feats, which he negotiated with flair and spectacle. Crime would make little sense at face value, but once you know its theme, in which the bass represents a seasoned criminal, it fuels your imagination.

The only guest soloist was the Sydney Symphony’s Diana Doherty, who gave a polished and thoroughly engaging performance of Vaughan Williams’ Oboe Concerto. She bought strong contrasts to this emotionally vivid piece, coasting through speedy virtuosic passages and wallowing in rolling English melodies.

In the rarely performed Scherzo and Intermezzo by Franz Shrecker, the Intermezzo for nine solo strings was particularly enjoyable, with its delicate lines and lush harmonies.

In Richard Tognetti’s absence, principal second violinist Helena Rathbone proved an excellent leader and soloist performing J.S. Bach’s popular Concerto for Oboe and Violin with Doherty.


Anna McCallister | Herald Sun | 16 Mar 2010