Those who took time out from the election were most enthusiastic about the music created by the DYO. The players’ honed skills are a direct tribute to their private tutors and to Peter Adams’ inspirational direction.
Programming is important. The Berlioz, Bruch and Beethoven sit well together but juxtaposing a modern work in between requires the audience to make a sharp contextual readjustment. Better perhaps to align Nathaniel Otley with maybe a Varese or a Brett Dean work, resources permitting.
Otley’s work Canvas is, as the title, suggests a painterly exploration of texture and colour. Its structure is well defined; its drama builds nicely between the smooth and the rough, as textures variously parry and fall into sync. It works well and shows Otley’s promise.
Nathanial Otley’s performance of Bruch’s beautiful Violin Concerto No 1 in G Minor was exhilarating despite a few rough edges. He shows a mature understanding of the emotional depths to be wrought from its flowing melodies. His developing virtuosity is equal to the work’s highly demanding final movement. The orchestra played with impressive commitment and was superbly complementary to Otley’s solo performance.
DYO’s performance of Berlioz’s La Damnation de Faust; Marche Hongroise was vigorous and dramatic. Its performance of Beethoven’s long Symphony No 8 in F Major revealed an enduring concentration.
Although the brass and woodwind were occasionally too exposed, the strings and timpani are strong.
Nicolas McBryde presented the 2017 Young Musician Awards to Isaac Shatford, orchestra leader, and Andrew Robinson, first clarinet.
Dunedin Youth Orchestra
• Knox Church Saturday, September 23
