Perhaps its the influence of a complete Olympic obsession – but the West Australian Symphony Orchestra’s ‘Symphonie Fantastique’ can perhaps best be summarised as active (as well as dynamic, expressive, colourful and generally superb).
The evening was made up of three schemes.
First, we were taken to the swells of the Atlantic Ocean in WASO’s rendition of Felix Mendelssohn’s ‘The Hebrides’ with its evocative sounds matching the ebbs and flow of ocean waves. The haunting melody of the opening bars give way to the swelling crescendo that embodies the majestic, spirited, and unpredictable landscape envisaged.
What was perhaps most beautiful about WASO’s performance of the piece was the rapid movement of hands and bows in complete unison as the composition rapidly escalates. That somehow captured the simple magic of a live symphony.
Symphonie Fantastique. Photography by Daniel James Grant.
Next we were taken on the ‘Superhighway’ – a concerto for saxophone and orchestra making its world premiere at Symphonie Fantastique featuring Perth saxophonist Matthew Styles – composed by Holly Harrison and commissioned for WASO.
Superhighway brings funk, disco and blues decisively into the Perth Concert Hall and celebrates Styles’ in full. Perhaps by way of distinction from Mendelssohn and Berlioz (still to come) was Harrison’s use of sounds, melodies and combinations that depart from the traditional in the best way possible. Bass and sax feature at times, wind in others, but every part of the puzzle is dancing its own dynamic routine that is entirely cohesive in parallel. Absolutely brilliant.
Symphonie Fantastique. Photography by Daniel James Grant.
Lastly, we were treated to Berlioz’ ‘Symphony Fantastique’, a piece famous for its rich story telling and depth. From the dreamy first movement, to an eerie ‘march’, and then finishing with the final movement, ‘Dream of a Witches’ Sabbath’, was delivered with a power and intensity that filled the room and almost literally took your breath away in the final crescendo.
Brian Maloney, WASO’s newest recruit as the Principal Percussionist, perhaps said in best in his observations – coming from Boston, New York to Perth, Western Australia – that WASO’s greatest strength is our geographical isolation. It means we are treated to a luxury of variety of musical styles and genres by our best musicians. How lucky we are to have WASO and how lucky we are to be treated to such a dynamic and lively variety of music.