2011-12

Friday 25th November 2011, Sheldonian Theatre

Conducted by Geoffrey Paterson

Led by Henry Chandler

Mahler 5th Symphony

Stravinsky Symphonies of Wind Instruments

A review of this concert by Samuel Parsons for the Cherwell can be found here:

Review: OUO Michaelmas Concert - Cherwell

The concert saw Oxford University Orchestra out in force, with a huge orchestra that raised the roof with the epic Mahler’s 5th, and the curious appendage of Stravinsky’s Symphonies of Wind Instruments.

With the opportunity to conduct Mahler’s 5th symphony, it was up to Geoffrey Paterson to wring every ounce of emotion from this beautiful and substantial work, a task in which he no doubt succeeded. For me however, there were times when it felt as though too much was being forced from every nuance in the music, which became emotionally exhausting and removed some of the effect of those ‘big moments’ that the composer had designated. By the same token, though, conducting Mahler, like singing Wagner, is a chance to indulge in some of the most expansive and emotionally rich music in the repertoire and if there is ever a time to over-indulge, then Mahler is a more forgiving composer than most. Personally, though, there was no doubt that the highlight of the concert was the Adagietto, which, despite some tuning issues, featured a higher level of subtlety and really allowed the orchestra to engage more naturally with the music.

The sheer volume of the symphony was impressive in itself, with seemingly every inch of floorspace being occupied by a performer. This translated to some brilliant, thrilling explosions, particularly after the introductory fanfare and, of course, in the finale. However, given the high level of proficiency that we have come to expect from OUO in the past, there were one or two unfortunate slip-ups from soloists, particularly from the brass, that detracted from the overall effect. By contrast, the woodwind section were consistently outstanding, with gorgeous solos from Julian Scott and Claire Wickes who put just the right amount of zest into some of the symphony’s more intimate moments.

Stravinsky’s Symphonies of Wind Instruments was, in my opinion, an unconventional choice to accompany Mahler’s 5th in the programme, although I suspect that time constraints were the primary reason for the inclusion of this heavily contrasting work. Here, Paterson’s highly expressive approach was less appropriate. The metric regularity that can make this piece of ‘cubist’ music so exciting and unusual was subject to lagging from a slow starting tempo, and the ensemble really did not feel together at times. That said, the sheer audacity of performing the work – and with it, the chance to hear the interlocking textures and shifting strata of twentieth-century harmony – warranted its place in the programme. Unfortunately, it felt both dwarfed and under-prepared in comparison with the Mahler symphony and didn’t offer a podium for the excellent woodwind section as it might have done.

Despite counterintuitive programming, the concert proved to be both thrilling and sensuous, though not without its flaws. To even attempt the virtuosic Mahler symphony and the Stravinsky demonstrates the excellent standard that OUO is operating at and to hear them both was a genuine pleasure, regardless of some decisions made by the conductor and concert programmer that, ultimately, come down to personal taste.

Friday 17th February 2012, Sheldonian Theatre

Conducted by Natalia Luis-Bassa

Led by Henry Chandler

Shostakovich Symphony No.10

Bartok The Miraculous Mandarin

A review of this concert can be found here:

Oxford University Orchestra - Daily Info | Daily Info

Wow! What a fabulous concert! It has been a long time since I have heard good orchestral music in Oxford. To be frank with you I had almost given up, resting my ears in the orchestral paradises of either London, Paris or Odessa. But tonight really I was not disappointed! It started with Bartók's suite from The Miraculous Mandarin, a striking piece of work that, apparently, as a ballet, created a scandal at the time (thank you Wikipedia). I was particularly struck by the dynamics and the precision of the orchestra, beautifully directed by the Venezuelan conductor Natalia Luis-Bassa. This music, performed for the first time in 1926, is for a huge orchestra and it is a great feast for the ears! I was particularly touched by the sound of the woodwinds - oboe, cor anglais, bassoon and double bassoon - which sounded similar to the French way of playing. Shostakovich's Tenth Symphony was performed some time after Stalin's death and it is said (thank you, again, Wikipedia) that the rather rough second movement is a portrait of Stalin himself. Once again a huge orchestra, one again the delight of hearing the different masses of sounds - the brass, the strings, the woodwinds, the percussion. I really liked the acid sound of the flute doubled by the piccolo, a signature feature in some of Shostakovich's works. A great evening. Now I am definitely addicted to the Oxford University Orchestra and I will come back!

Friday 18th May 2012, Sheldonian Theatre

Conducted by Dane Lam

Led by Naomi Watson

Mendelssohn Symphony No.3 "Scottish"

Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique