November 15, 2013, Shenzhen Concert Hall
Shenzhen Symphony - Uros Lajovic - Arto Noras
All Dvorak
I just love the SZSO; they constantly surprise me with their performances under little known Eastern European conductors who are under-rated and much more worth hearing than many so-called big names (like those bores venerated in HK). This concert is one of the best examples.
Program opened with a rambunctious Slavonic Dance Op 46/8. Coarse, but the spirit was right.
Arto Noras is familiar to me from his CDs on various labels, often in rare works. However, nothing prepared me for the incredibly refined, coherent and singing performance of the Cello Concerto he delivered. His tone is not big, but his fluid phrasing ensured attention; and the top registers, though smallish in sound, were distinctive in timbre and of considerable beauty. Uros Lajovic was a most sympathetic accompanist.
The second half's performance of the New World Symphony was even of a higher order. Indeed near-perfection. To cite a few examples of the delights on offer: various rhythmic figures in the strings were finely articulated and pointed in execution, not a trace of artificiality; the performance just flowed, incandescent and tender at turns; dynamics were carefully graded - the meticulously calibrated crescendos were breathtaking and the climaxes truly thrilling. If one uses one word to describe the performance, it must be grandeur.
Bravo!!!!!
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