It’s been so long since I’ve been able to visit the Concert Hall for a performance from our fabulous Queensland Symphony Orchestra. With the borders opening up around the world I’ve been travelling quite a bit and making up for lost time. But this fact also means that the fabulous Guy Braunstein could once again visit Queensland and show us how multitalented he really is. In this Friday morning concert Guy conducted, performed as a soloist and in some parts managed to do both at the same time, all accompanied by his rare violin which was made by Francesca Roggieri in 1679.
The show opened with a sneak peek of the new video – Sounds of Queensland. This new work which was commissioned by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra shares sights and sounds of our beautiful state. It gave us goosebumps and the visual imagery summed up all our favourite spots and showed the diversity of our land. Composed by Cameron Patrick this piece is a love letter to Queensland.
Today’s concert shared the works of Beethoven and Dvorak. First up was Beethoven’s Concerto in D for Violin and Orchestra. Here Guy admirably showed how to multi task by conducting and showing off the musicality of the violinist in partnership with an orchestra.This emotional piece bought many including the conductor to tears. It is certainly one of the most beloved pieces to play for both the violins and orchestra.
The next number left us with a smile, with Guy conducting our joyful orchestra as they played Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8 in G, Op.88. This cheerful and happy symphony stands out from much of the moody music being penned by composers of the time. It was a wonderful way to brighten up a fantastic Friday morning.
Conductor and Soloist
Violinist Guy Brauenstein was born in Tel Aviv and began performing at a young age. He has since performed with many of the world’s great conductors. In 2000 he was the youngest person ever to be appointed concertmaster of the Berliner Philharmoniker, a position he held for twelve years, before leaving to pursue his solo career. His recent highlights include the position of Artist – in- Residence with the Trondheim Symphoniker for the 2017 -18 season. He has debuted with Maggio Musicale Fiornetino and the Tampere Philharmonia, as well a the last time we saw him conducting with our own Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
The Music
Beethoven was prolific in his compositions in the early part of the nineteenth century. Many of his compositions were bold and violent while the Violin Concerto is a more serene piece. As in many pieces written during this time the Violin Concerto makes music out of next to no material at times: the opening gesture of five drum taps, for instance, seems blank at the start, returns several times during the movement, most strikingly when the main material is recapitulated: there the whole orchestra takes up the motif.
This was a lively piece to start the program. We felt like we were tripping through the forest and the violins came into their own soaring to the heavens. Guy’s talent shone through and you could see even the orchestra themselves were in awe of such a talented violinist. It was wonderful to see one of the best in the world in action.
The second piece shows its country roots and it was easy to see why the two pieces were grouped together. Dvorak wrote this on a country holiday and it is filled within the sights and sounds of his beloved Bohemia. Filled with flowing melodies, and a skipping flute, this piece uses the depth and breadth of the whole orchestra. With energetic trombones and trumpets and a folk like theme you can feel the moods change as you walk through the woods. Dvorak finishes with a buoyant crescendo now adding the horns as well as trumpets before a final mood of jubilation.
It was delightful to take a friend to her first Symphony performance and watch as she enjoyed the music and theatre of the orchestra. She found it very lively and enjoyed seeing some of the best in their fields. She loved seeing both Guy Braunstein and our own Natsuko Yoshimoto and her superb skills on the violin. We both were blown away by the the whole violin section and were uplifted the joy of the flautist. Oboes and drums were a treat and as always the sparkly Phoebe Russell on her lion head bass was entertaining. To introduce someone new to an orchestral performance the 80 minute morning concerts are a good idea. It always feels relaxed in the morning and the performance flows through with no interval so you walk away on a cloud of music.
The audience could see how delighted Guy Braunstein was to be back. The emotion was written all over his face. The morning concert by QSO was a high spirited spectacle of orchestral excellence. Coming up for Queensland Symphony Orchestra are the Studio Sessions, Mighty Rachmaninov and a special event – The Musical Theatre Gala. Be spirited away on a cloud of music this Spring with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
Michelle Beesley is a Brisbane born and bred former primary school teacher. A wife, proud grandma and mother of three grown sons, Michelle is thrilled to have recently published her debut contemporary romance novel, It Happened in Paris, with Serenade Publishing. Her novella – Escape to D’ Amour was published in 2019. Michelle’s work can be found in the anthologies – Destination Romance and Short & Sweet. When not reading or writing Michelle can be found at a coffee shop chatting with friends, front row at a fashion show, or beside a rugby union field cheering on her favourite teams.
Michelle is a reluctant traveller, Francophile, keen walker and avid yoga enthusiast plus a book, film and theatre lover who loves everything pink and sparkly (including champagne). You can find Michelle on instagram @michellebeesley_writer and her website: michellebeesley.com.
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