Wagenaar: Overture Cyrano de Bergerac
Bruch: Violin Concerto No 1 (Soloist: Gina McCormack)
Brahms: Symphony No 2
"Soloist Gina is suberb"
"Despite competition from three other major concerts on the same night, Bristol Concert Orchestra still attracted a large audience to St George's on Saturday.
Stefan Hofkes, the excellent Dutch conductor, introduced us to one of his country's composers, Johan Wagenaar, with the overture to Cyrano de Bergerac.
This is a fascinating piece with a sweeping tune at the start and finish for the strings, with plenty of work for the brass in between.
Max Bruch's First Violin Concerto is probably the most popular composition for this instrument.
Gina McCormack, the young soloist, grew in stature and her rich, pure tone in the Adagio led to playing of an astonishing ability in the finale.
Brahms' Second Symphony is the most lyrical of the four. There was some ragged string playing in the first movement but the conductor made sure the Adagio had a quiet, glowing sound.
The Presto had good balance and clarity and there was plenty of energy in the last movement.
Star rating: *** out of *****
(John Packwood - Bristol Evening Post - 25 March 2002)
Last updated: 26 April 2002
