Above : Conductor Umberto Clerici led the WPO in two concerts. Featured image: Members of the WPO, Umberto Clerici and cello soloist Daniel Pini
This concert, Woollahra Philharmonic Orchestra’s first for 2018, was a repeat of the sellout performance from the preceding day. It was a musical event containing a string of satisfying ‘firsts’. Dynamic conductor Umberto Clerici made his public conducing debut with this substantial programme. Cellist Daniel Pini played as concerto soloist for the first time with WPO, and the orchestra gave John Rutter’s work Five Meditations for Orchestra its Australian premiere.
John Rutter’s 2003 arrangement of hymn tunes and carols enhances the atmosphere and lyricism of the original pieces. The pure atmosphere, subtlety and stillness required from this work were
captured in a very controlled, clear reading of the score. There was a smooth, lush tone colour emerging from all sections of the orchestra throughout.
Special mention must be made of the playing from the principal oboe and harp, which answered elegantly the composer’s requests for prolonged effect and colour whenever employed in this contemporary instrumental setting. The cohesiveness of the disciplined orchestra blended with Umberto Clerici’s attention to detail and deft communicative conducting style ensured this Australian premiere was rich in emotion with delicately realised contours.
Following such an opening, WPO and Umberto Clerici collaborated with cellist Daniel Pini in an emotional and dramatic presentation of Robert Schumann’s Cello Concerto in A minor Op 129. Pini quickly established a rapport with this orchestra and as soloist demonstrated great empathy for the whirlwind of sensitivities which continues throughout the three movements with no breaks and little easing of the general intensity.
The chemistry and high level of communication between cellist, orchestra and conductor allowed for an effective balance and joint exploration of the thematic material in an exciting manner . At all times there was a pleasing forward momentum.
Both intimate and exuberant aspects to Schubert’s drama were delivered with equal success. This was achieved via expertly voiced Schumann-esque utterances from the cello and solid support
from the orchestra. Major climaxes were carefully built to a measured height under Umberto Clerici’s attentive guidance.
Following this thrilling outpouring from virtuoso Pini, the WPO and its guest conductor, the concert’s second half was devoted to a performance of Symphony No 1 in C major Op 21 by Beethoven. Continuing his successful conducting debut, Umberto Clerici once again brought the best out of the WPO in a clear reading of this early work which spoke with the inimitable fresh voice of Beethoven, fledgling symphonist.
Musical statements from the different orchestral families and especially the conversations between them were rich in colour, with typically erratic but economical Beethoven emphasis well placed. Effective eloquence and sudden shifts of nuance were all handled with pleasing directness here. Clerici as a new conductor here also quite masterfully employed keen tempi, with a decisive delineation of character and spirit above and beyond the mere technicalities of the score.
The interpretation of this symphony unfolded in broad strokes, with a definite highlight being the joyous performance of the third movement Menuetto. Here spirited tutti sections as well as the interplay between sections alike were suitably buoyant. The opening movement was crisp and crystal clear, followed by the gentle intricacies of the Andante movement, which smoothly and organically built towards moments of full contrast.
The Finale began its slow opening with commanding force then rocketed towards a successful conclusion to both this symphony and the end of a very well received programme of ‘firsts’ . It was a compelling start to the orchestra’s 2018 season.
Woollahra Philharmonic Orchestra [Facebook] returns next to St Columba Church in Woollahra on June 23 and 24, in a concert featuring Australian works, titled ‘True Blue’.