Review
TITLE: The French Connection by Huddersfield Philharmonic Orchestra
VENUE: Huddersfield Town Hall
BY: Suzanne Smelt
This delightful apéritif had a clicky castanet feel created by synchronised pizzicato and staccato playing and the final tutti flourish left me wanting more.
The following musical hors d’oeuvres began with Debussy’s impressionistic Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune. The orchestra, minus most of the brass, shimmered with chromatic harmonies beneath gorgeous wind soli.
Two suites ensued. L’Arlésienne Suite No.2 by Bizet reflected a man’s obsession with a girl from Arles in folk-based music.
The other, Les Biches by Poulenc, portrayed flirtatious chatter and seductive thoughts in both neo-classic and modernistic styles. Student conductor Séraphine Porte held us spell-bound with her commanding interpretation of the Bizet which was reflected in the orchestra’s stunning performance, notable in the enchanting flute and harp duet (Minuet).
Classically phrased and cantabile string melodies were a highlight of the Andantino (Poulenc).
The pièce de résistance? The 3rd Symphony, with organ, by Saint-Saëns.
We were treated to a sound-fest which included first-class woodwind performances and crisp brass playing.
There were occasional lapses in orchestral ensemble and upper strings wrestled with fast repeated notes (1st movement).
Eventually the Town Hall organ crept in with a sustained note and distant chords – soft but audible due to careful registration – underpinning the orchestral harmonies (2nd movement).
In the finale it rose from the shadows with bombastic chords, played masterfully by Joseph Cullen, which punctuated the well-executed chorale theme.
The tempo revved up towards a fantastic finish with added cymbal crashes and sparkling piano playing held together by maestro Nicolas Smith.
Encore!
