Evelyn Glennie Concert

Dates 20 & 21 May 2005, 8pm Venue Orpheum Theatre

Reviewer John Jane


 

Delius "The Walk to the Paradise Gardens" from A Village Romeo and Juliet Sheng Colours of Crimson: Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra Vivaldi Concerto for Piccolo Recorder in C major Elgar Symphony No.1 in A -flat Major

Conductor Bramwell Tovey Percussion Evelyn Glennie


Evelyn Glennie
Virtuoso percussionist, Evelyn Glennie

Seeing virtuoso percussionist, Evelyn Glennie perform on the concert hall stage is almost as inspiring as listening to her music. Hearing impaired since the age of twelve, she “listens” to her accompaniment by feeling the vibrations through her bare feet on the stage floor. Ms Glennie’s hearing is something that intrigues her audience far more than it affects her.

Precise execution and acute sensitivity are qualities that make up Glennie’s distinct musicality. Extended percussion steams can get quite monotonous, but her remarkable dexterity and articulation never allow the audience to become bored.

The Aberdonian musician’s technique is particularly evident on the exotically named "Colours of Crimson: Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra" by contemporary composer, Bright Sheng. Evocative in effect, the work emphasizes the fusion of Western compositional techniques and melodic impulses drawn from Chinese folk music. Glennie's solo marimba playing was perfect, and so was the accompaniment of the Vancouver Symphony under Bramwell Tovey.

The marimba is a more complex instrument than the xylophone it resembles. It typically has a five octave range and might cost as much as a decent piano.

 

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The truly stunning offering of the evening wasn’t even listed in the programme. Antonio Vivaldi’s "Concerto for Piccolo Recorder in C major" transcribed for the Vibraphone by Ms Glennie herself was a total success. The perky first movement was followed by a slow one that captured a wide range of emotions, simply a tour de force for this kind of instrument, not inherently bent to emotional depth or range. The vibrant performing style and musical conviction brought an appreciative and well deserved standing ovation.

Following the intermission, the orchestra returned to perform Sir Edward Elgar’s towering Symphony No.1 in A-flat Major in four movements. The symphony opened with a recurring motif theme, heroic and militaristic as is typical of Elgar’s works. Maestro Tovey allowed the tension to build to a noble finale.

The concert started with Maestro Tovey leading the orchestra with "The Walk to the Paradise Gardens," an intermezzo from Frederick Delius’ best known opera A Village Romeo and Juliet, written at the turn of the (twentieth) century. Maestro Tovey’s careful interpretation rather evoked an image of a quiet stroll through the Paradise Gardens. While the work has few melodic lines, the arrangement was enhanced by the woodwind section heard throughout to good effect.

Not surprisingly, there were many in the audience under the age of sixteen. Evelyn Glennie is obviously one of a select group of musicians able to attract young people and enthuse them about "serious" music.

© 2005 John Jane

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