Concert Review: HKPO - Atherton - KoranyiMay 28, 2016, CCCH
HKPO -Atherton - Jakob Koranyi
All Russian program
The HKPO was in fine form. David Atherton conducted in his familiar style: literal, driven and not much subtlety, but the familiar music carried the day. Borodin's Polovtsian Dances was a tidy opener.
Swedish cellist Jakob Koranyi substituted for Jing Zhao at short notice. He had a good tone but the sound was just too small for Shostakovich's Cello Concerto No. 1, getting covered by the orchestra. One has to fill in the blanks. Principal horn Lin Jiang was flawless.
The orchestra clearly loved Rimsky Korsakov's Sheherazade and the many soloists gave their best. Concertmaster Wang Jing as usual played with commitment, although the portrait was definitely on the yang side. One wished for a little more tenderness in many episodes (only in the andantino did Atherton cared to show a little) and a little more characterization in transitions would not be remiss (though one would not expect this of this conductor).
Overall, a satisfying concert.
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