April 29, 2017, CH
HK Sinfonietta-Christoph Poppen-Ramon Quero
Cuddeford-Strauss-Schubert
An ambitious program and another triumph for the HK Sinfonietta!
The unusual opener was a Chorale Prelude by James Cuddeford, Concertmaster, which is meant to be just the first part of a larger Triptych. It is a surprisingly ambitious work and quite interesting to my ears. I'd like to hear the rest of it.
Then came Richard Strauss' Oboe Concerto, given an immaculate performance by the Principal Oboe of the esteemed Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Ramon Quero. His tone is big and full. Poppen guided the orchestra expertly and maintained a firm pulse, no easy task in this work, which lacks a good melody.
Beforehand, I had wondered how the Sinfonietta would fare in the big work that is Schubert's 9th. I hadn't need to worry! Poppen obviously know the work well, paced it absolutely masterfully, managed all the transitions with ease, and gave the work a fluidity that many lesser conductors would envy. The much exposed woodwinds and brass played very well. A bit more character and bite fromt he players would lend the work more tragic demeanor, but overall this is a tall achievement for the HK Sinfonietta, and once again I was mightily impressed by Poppen.
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