Willoughby Symphony Orchestra: West Side Story @ The Concourse

Inset pic- Violinst Doretta Balkizas. Featured pic-Dr Nicholas Milton
Inset pic- Violinst Doretta Balkizas. Featured pic-Dr Nicholas Milton

The latest Willoughby Symphony concert had an American theme with an Australian link.

Emphatically, passionately led by Dr Nicholas Milton the Willoughby Symphony gave a magnificent performance with fine ensemble work. As ever, the acoustics in the Concert Hall were excellent with a rich, vibrant sound.

First on the programme was Bernstein’s ‘West Side Story : Selections for Orchestra’ arranged by Jack Mason. Played with relish by the Orchestra, the subtle nuances and changes of mood and tempo for the various selections were well handled. Aching strings for ‘One hand , one heart’ were contrasted with the tense, spiky rhythms of ‘Cool’ that featured brass and strings. 

The bulk of the first half was the fiendishly difficult and challenging ‘Violin Concerto in D Major Op 36’ by Korngold. (This is the Australian link as Korngold wrote the music for Errol Flynn’s ‘Robin Hood’). The music blends both Hollywood film style and modern European classicism, there were also hints of Satie and Mahler. The Concerto is in three movements and is, at times, very difficult to play. The piece featured special guest soloist Doretta Balkizas on violin who wore a long floaty strapless black and blue printed dress.

The first movement, with quotes from the movie theme of ‘Another Dawn’ and ‘Juarez’ was lush and passionate, featuring soaring violin .

The second movement, quoting from ‘Anthony Adverse’ was slower and more lyrical and pensive, quieter and aching with longing. The bravura third movement, quoting from ‘The Prince and the Pauper’,  set off at a sprightly pace with some crashing chords and again featured Balkizas’ sensitive, extraordinary playing leading to a sizzling, dynamic conclusion. This  piece took us to interval.

The strident, insistent ‘Fanfare for the Common Man’ by Aaron Copeland opened the second half of the programme, thrillingly played and featuring a shimmering brass section.

Most of the second half consisted of Bernstein’s ‘Symphonic Dances From West Side Story’. Bernstein arranged this dance suite from a musical rather than a narrative perspective.

The piece ranged from wild, spiky rhythms – ‘Rumble ‘ and the finger snapping ‘Cool’- to soaring lush romantic tunes- ‘Maria’  and ‘There’s A Place For Us’.

The orchestra played dynamically,–‘Cool’ included strident, passionate strings, a flute solo, followed by sweeping strings, leading to the sparkling finale.

For an encore , to a rapturous reception , at a cracking pace yet with swirling strings, the Orchestra played the scintillating overture to Bernstein’s ‘Candide’ .

Running time– just under two hours including one interval.

Willoughby Symphony Orchestra in WEST SIDE STORY played the Concourse, Chatswood on the 2nd and 3rd May.