July 16, 2021, Shenzhen Concert Hall
Shenzhen Symphony - Lin Daye - Jin Zhenhong - Nie Jiapeng
All Strauss
China is so strict about Covid protocols that they cancel most concerts even after a signle case or two had triggered massive testing but have receded in the city more than a month ago. Sigh, I was looking forward to the same orchestra's Mahler 7th conducted by Li Xincao but it was cancelled. It is a miracle this one happened at all. There are fewer concerts here than in neighboring Hong Kong, and I am resigned.
BUT, this one was a great surprise! Principal Conductor Lin Daye 林大葉 is a known entity who has been around a while but I have never heard him. Concert opened with a crackling Don Juan and it was immediately apparent that the orchestra played much better than in the last concert that I heard (Franck conducted by Ang, blog post below). The orchestra produced an opulent sound (great strings) but it was the sectional excellence that was so gratifying. The Principal Winds and Brass played with immense character and warmth, as they have done on the best occasions in the past. The valedictory playing continued onto an utterly delightful Till Eulenspiegels. It was more than obvious that the players enjoyed themselves; all the players were swaying, as a good European orchestra does. Credit to the conductor, who not only provided a firm rhythmic foundation and kept tension and drama alive, but knew how to relax when necessary. Strauss' tone poems demand quick shifts of mood, and they were duly fulfilled here.
The temperature dropped more than a notch in the second half. Young cellist Nie Jiapeng 聶佳鵬 and Principal Violist Jin Zhenghong 金朕纮 were the soloists in Don Quixote. There are many tender, lyrical and sheerly ravishing moments in this score and they were fully conveyed. On the other hand, the many cacophonous outbursts were scaled down just enough for one to feel wanting, even if they were perfectly played. I am sure the approach was to accommodate the playing of the solo cellist. Although he played with refinement and color, his tone was just too small for the piece. I regret they did not let the cello principal Karen Kocharyan take the limelight - he is an excellent cellist who shines in his solo's (like Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2) - especially since the Viola part was taken by the excellent orchestral principal.
All in all, a wonderful Strauss concert, which is not easy to come by. As one from HK who has gone through the Edo de Waart period, I still remember what he said, that Strauss is the ultimate test for an orchestra. If so, EdW, whom I regard as a kapellemesiter (in its journeyman sentiment) has failed and this performance is several notches above whatever Strauss that I have heard with the HKPO.
