Bruch Concerto No.1 in G minor for Violin and Orchestra, Op.26
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Prelude: Allegro moderato
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Adagio
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Finale: Allegro energico
Beethoven Symphony No.7 in A, Op.92
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Poco sostenuto – Vivace
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Allegretto
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Presto
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Allegro con brio
Beauty and Power coupled the beauty of Arabella Steinbacher and her violin virtuosity with the magnificent power of the QSO combined with their treasured Johannes Fritzsch at the helm.
There was a pleasing surprise announcement at the beginning of the Morning Masterworks concert as, unfortunately, the scheduled internationally renowned conductor Carlos Kalmar could not make the morning performance. However, Johannes Fritzsch, the QSO’s Conductor Laureate instead took the baton, and was welcomed with excited foot stomping and cheering from the audience and orchestra. Fritzsch was an extremely popular replacement, having been the Chief Conductor of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra from 2008-2014, with every appearance feeling like a treat. There was also a change from the programmed Walton’s, Symphony No.1 in B flat minor to the fabulous Beethoven’s Symphony No.7 in A, Op.92, which had been recently performed as part of the Maestro Series (6th Sept, 2018). This program change was also greeted with much cheers and applause as it is one of Beethoven’s most popular symphonies.
The morning opened with solos from the esteemed violin virtuoso Arabella Steinbacher, who has been described as ‘the queen of the evening’ performing around the world with esteemed orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, the Philharmonic and the London Symphony Orchestra. She was welcomed with fierce applause as she glided onto the stage draped in a gold dress and clutching a 1716 “Booth” Stradivari violin, generously loaned to her by the Nippon Music Foundation.
Bruch’s Concerto No.1 is Bruch’s most popular work, a stormy and exhilarating concerto and the most played violin concerto of all time. Steinbacher was graceful and technically brilliant, weaving the famously technically demanding musical tapestry full of passion and elegance. In the Prelude, the solo violin ascends to the heavens then descends to the deepest depths with intense runs, double-stops and trills, whilst the cello and double basses wend their way with pizacatto accompanied by a soft timpani. The Adagio had the violin sparkling like the first golden light on a lake, backed by a soft and subdued string accompaniment as the notes floated across the Concert Hall. The lively theme of the Hungarian Folk Dance closed the Concerto with dramatic and intense violin solos from Steinbacher, who was rewarded with three jubilant encore applauses from the audience.
Symphony No.7 is one of Beethoven’s best received works. It includes the famous Allegretto, which accompanied the iconic speech by King George VI, performed by Colin Firth in The King’s Speech. The symphony opens with the clarinet and varies from crashing crescendos to lilting melodies. The resonance of the double bass has a starring role, whilst the orchestra is whipped up into a frenzy in the final movement. The Conductor Laureate for the QSO, Johannes Fritzsch, came into his own during the Allegro con brio, bouncing on his podium while windmilling his arms and thoroughly enjoying his experience of being back at the helm of such a brilliant and cohesive orchestra. It was great that the newer members of the audience had the opportunity to witness Fritzsch in his element, as a spectacular iconic conductor who had spent six years conducting the QSO, cherished by the orchestra and the Brisbane audience alike.
Beauty and Power coupled the beauty of Arabella Steinbacher and her violin virtuosity with the magnificent power of the QSO combined with their treasured Johannes Fritzsch at the helm, providing a breathtaking performance and a rare treat.
Conductor, Johannes Fritzsch
Violin, Arabella Steinbacher
Concert Hall, QPAC
Fri 5 Oct, 2018
Dr Gemma Regan