Natsuko Yoshimoto is Scheherazade, the young bride who staves off execution at the hands of her husband Sultan Shariar by using her story-telling skills over one thousand and one nights.
The newlywed clearly captivated the Sultan just as Natsuko, one of Australia’s finest violinists, captivated the audience during the Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s performance of its Arabian Nights concert at the weekend.
Currently the QSO’s co-concertmaster, Japanese-born Natsuko, supported only by the harp, captured the air surrounding the orchestra with her exquisite, soothing sound set amidst the, at times, thunderous tale spun by composer Rimsky-Korsakov in his Symphonic Suite, OP 35, Scheherazade.
The diminutive Natsuko, is masterful throughout the symphony powerfully backed by an orchestra that is recognised as being full of gifted musicians who showed they are among the best with a string of stand-out performances encouraged by the score.
Maestro Johannes Fritzcsh, renewed as Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s Principal Conductor and Artistic Adviser at the weekend, was at his liveliest best as he led the orchestra through Sheherazade.
After Sheherazade the orchestra took on a totally new persona as it performed Ravel’s La valse, a peculiarly French retrospective view of the Viennese waltz. Way to go.
Next concert:
Musical Landscapes – Evocative Scenic Melodies
SUN 28 FEB 11AM & 3PM at the Concert Hall, QPAC
Conductor Umberto Clerici
Host Guy Noble
Soloist Warwick Adeney, violin
PROGRAM INCLUDES:
MENDELSSOHN The Hebrides (Fingal’s Cave)
BEETHOVEN Symphony No.6 in F (Pastoral), mvt 4: Thunderstorm
J. STRAUSS, JR On the Beautiful Blue Danube
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS The Lark Ascending
GRIEG Suite No.1 from Peer Gynt, mvt 1: Morning and mvt 4: In the Hall of the Mountain King
SMETANA The Moldau from Má vlast
The natural world inspired many composers to create their greatest music. Felix Mendelssohn visited the Scottish island of Staff in 1829 and was struck with the majestic sea cave known as Fingal’s Cave. Instantly, the sound of the rolling waves and the isolation of the location inspired him to write one of his most popular works, The Hebrides. Starting with this majestic overture, Queensland Symphony Orchestra will lead the audience through a series of evocative classical works that have drawn their inspiration from nature.
SheSociety is a site for the women of Australia to share our stories, our experiences, shared learnings and opportunities to connect.
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