The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra performed in the Dunedin Town Hall last evening with Martin Frost, considered the best clarinet player in the world today.
They played two well-known works and a shorter contemporary opening item, with conductor Edo de Waart.
Shaker Loops (1978) was written by American composer John Adams, who celebrates his 70th birthday this year. One of his most beloved and often-performed works, this was almost half an hour of moving perpetual soundscape, physically demanding for the strings, as light, compact textures ebbed and flowed, almost continuously shaking and trembling.
Poignant single tone or melodic fragments tenderly punctuated and impressive climactic highlights matched the detailed programme notes.
Frost with his basset clarinet was the absolute highlight of the evening. Mozart's Clarinet Concerto in A Major K.622 is standard repertoire for any professional clarinettist, but Frost produced something really special.
Gentle, relaxed fluidity in delivery and incredulous shading shaped every movement, as subjects were stated and developed with love and compassion. Scalic virtuosity across the entire register seemed unreal, such was the speed and beauty of tone.
Prolonged applause and a standing ovation were rewarded with a mind-blowing encore - Klezmer's Dance No 3 arranged for orchestra and virtuoso clarinet by Goran Frost - ''my little brother!''
One wonders if an extra line on the score dictated the subtle footwork and illuminating body language of this stupendous musician. Beethoven's Symphony No. 6 in F major, (Pastorale) is very familiar and loved by followers of classical symphonic masterpieces.
Beethoven once wrote ''How glad I am to be able to roam in wood and thicket, among the trees and flowers and rocks.''
These sentiments are ever present in his sixth Symphony and Maestro de Waart and the NZSO succeeded with an extremely impressive countryside interpretation last evening.
-By Elizabeth Bouman
