This was the inaugural concert by The Orchestra Project at the Verbrugghen Hall, Sydney Conservatorium of Music . Two works were played – Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in D Minor and Mahler’s 4th Symphony in the Orchestra’s Sydney debut.
The Orchestra Project was established by conductor Fabian Russell in 2002 as a training ensemble for the development for the development of Australia’s best young orchestral musicians. This critically acclaimed ensemble provides opportunities for gifted young musicians to play alongside the very best musicians from Australia’s professional orchestras. Russell enthusiastically yet precisely conducted the rich , multi layered performance.
Harry Bennetts, Associate Concertmaster of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, was the soloist in the Mendelssohn and gave a bravura , dazzling performance full of finely nuanced phrasing , clarity and control yet with volcanic layers underneath .From its rich , sumptuous opening the Orchestra was in fine form. Throughout, Bennett’s solos were fast fiery and furious , full of explosive passion , or delicately yearning with the violin ‘singing ‘. In the first movement sometimes he darts glides and skitters, the Orchestra murmuring accompaniment. Continue reading THE ORCHESTRA PROJECT @ VERBRUGGEN HALL SYDNEY CONSERVATORIUM OF MUSIC