Review
Huddersfield Philharmonic Orchestra
VENUE: Huddersfield Town Hall REVIEW: Suzanne Smelt
A MIGHTY symphony by Bruckner and two powerful works by his hero, Wagner, telling of love, death and the legend of a devil-cursed sea captain, were on the musical menu for the Huddersfield Philharmonic Orchestra.
Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman – the mythical seaman – was confidently portrayed by the brass; precise articulation and tuning in the woodwind, and nimble finger-work paired with agile bowing from the violins, also deserves comment.
Innovative for its time, Wagner’s Tristan and Isolde Prelude, which embraced love and death, allowed both the expressive strings – with some occasional lapses in cello intonation – and beautiful solo wind melodies, much exposure. A well-paced crescendo led to the impassioned climax before the music seeped away heralding the Liebestod, in which we were mesmerised by the young yet vibrant soprano voice of Cressida Sharp, in a convincing rendition of a challenging Wagner aria.
Highlights, in the opening and closing movements of Bruckner’s 7th Symphony, included high-impact and dynamic brass passages – often juxtaposed with sonorous strings – and synchronised woodwind ensemble episodes. The ‘funereal’ second movement included a gargantuan build-up to the tutti explosion, throwing the visiting Wagner tubas into the spotlight. The third dance movement shined with layers of thunderous brass which fought against tempestuous strings. Bubbling string and wind motifs followed by spine-tingling moments of harmonic tension and resolution featured in the glorious finale.
Under the confident baton of Nicholas Smith, the orchestra, although lacking forces in the lower strings, produced a highly commendable performance of an ambitious musical programme.
