Karen Gomyo, Violinist extraordinary..

Karen Gomyo.

Concert hall packed as French-Canadian violist Karen Gomyo took centre stage to make her debut with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra in Hobart. Her Stradivari violin ready to take on the task, as a ‘Russian Night’ was about to unfold. Not only was the audience about to enjoy Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, but for good measure Shostakovich’s Symphony No 10 [claimed by sum to be a portrait of the dark Stalinist times] was to follow.

The night very much belonged to Gomyo who melted into her violin creating a memorable night of music. Her extraordinary technical skill combined with the wonderful sound of a three hundred year old Strad produced an electric rending of one the world’s favourite violin pieces. Technical skill beyond the norm was required, when Tchaikovsky first composed the concerto around 1878, he used his friend Josef Kotek to play through various sections of the composition to ensure their playability.

Originally the work was dedicated to the virtuoso Leopold Auer, who however thought the concerto far too difficult and refused to play it. Gomyo, however had no such qualms virtually performed summer sorts as she swayed and moved with the music as one.  Fingers dancing across the strings in overtime, a superb performance.  

After numerous curtain calls she generously played a piece by Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla whose music she has an affinity with as a encore. A delightful evening’s music and I would urge any music lover who ever has a chance to hear this talented musician play not to miss the chance

Bella Italia

 Making notes of various theatrical techniques so beloved by conductors can be both rewarding and entertaining to both eye and imagination. Olari Elts performance last night with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra in his rendition of Puccini's Messa di Gloria proved to meet both.

          
I had not heard this mass since I was a boy soprano ,where our then choirmaster was nick named Windmill
due to the energy he exerted waving his arms around. He was equally formidable in administering the cane to any boy not paying sufficient attention.Conductor Elts did not fail in this respect, although not as expansive for his controlled performance with prods, pushes and pulls. His movements at times often resembled the sensual movement of a lover's hand on the loved one thigh. Unfortunately this was not enough to lift the strength of the female section of the choir above the ever present volume of the orchestra. But despite this shortcoming the performance was highly memorable.