The West Australian Symphony Orchestra’s 2025 Season Opening was a showcase of the orchestra’s versatility, skill and pizzicato prowess through three complex pieces: Beethoven’s (iconic) Symphony No. 5, Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini and James Ledger’s The Light Fantastic.
While Tim White takes care in the pre-concert podcast to explain the magic – including Rachmaninov’s ‘sleight of hand’, ‘fiendish’ solo parts and a coda which ends on a ‘nudge and a wink’ – all these studied terms and purposes float away when you’re watching the masterful hands of Alexander Garvrylyuk seemingly play 20 notes at once (with only 10 fingers – impossible!) in virtuosic piano passages with lush orchestral accompaniment.
To the musically uninitiated like myself, it’s not always clear what the sonata or variation is, or when it appears or ends, but there is no mistaking how it makes you feel when it arrives – an overwhelming appreciation for its beauty (and later a reminder to yourself to inhale given its taken your breath away).
Beethoven’s Fifth. Photography by Daniel James Grant.
The evening began with The Light Fantastic, an original contemporary piece by UWA’s own James Ledger to celebrate the start of WASO’s residency in the iconic Winthrop Hall. Ledger’s compositions are known for their innovative use of orchestral textures and this was clear in the celebration of ‘light’ – replicating fireworks, kaleidoscopes and stained glass windows (of which Winthrop Hall has plenty) through spotlights on each section of the orchestra. The audience was immediately captivated by the modern soundscapes and the fast momentum of the piece.
We then celebrated Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. The solo pianist’s performance was nothing short of breathtaking, displaying both technical prowess and expressive intensity. The orchestra provided a rich and supportive backdrop, enhancing the dramatic and lyrical qualities of the rhapsody. The interplay between Garvrylyuk and the orchestra was seamless, resulting in a performance that was both thrilling and deeply moving.
The evening concluded with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, a piece that is both iconic and powerful. WASO’s rendition was spectacular. From the very first notes, the musicians captured the dramatic intensity of the symphony, with its famous four-note motif resonating through the Hall. While a mental soundtrack of ‘dun dun dun DUN’ might have run through my head when opening exam papers in Winthrop Hall as a student, it has taken on a wonderful new meaning.
Overall, WASO is taking its home [Perth Concert Hall] renovations in its stride and creating new memories at Winthrop Hall. The combination of classical and contemporary works showcased the orchestra’s artistry, leaving the audience with a lasting impression of wonder and gratitude.