Photograph via Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.
The magnificent Cello Concerto in E Minor by Edward Elgar was the centrepiece of this excellent concert by the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. This is a work of gravitas; a piece that demands to be taken seriously. Cello Concerto in E Minor was written in 1919, and in it Elgar captures all the tragedy and loss of the Great War. But amidst all the sorrow, this brilliant concerto is also an ode to strength, courage and the endurance of the human spirit. Not for Elgar: the flippancy of ‘keep calm and carry on’; this is about stoicism endurance and ultimately heroism.
Simon Cobcroft, the ASO’s own Principal Cello, took centre-stage as the soloist – to enthusiastic applause from the audience. It’s always exciting to see visiting soloists, but it’s also rewarding to see some home-grown talent playing at the highest level. Cobcroft plays an antique Kennedy cello, a wonderful instrument of maple and spruce woods. It was made in 1840 – before Elgar was even born! – and has a lovely rich tone.
American Conductor Michael Stern managed a smooth performance from the players, caressing every note and building to the big, full-bodied climax. And then the coda, that stark reminder that we are, indeed, only human. The cello itself seems human, continuing an intense dialogue throughout. Full credit to Cobcroft for a fine solo performance. He seemed genuinely moved by the fulsome applause from the audience and the appreciation of his colleagues on stage.
The program opened with Claude Debussy’s charming Prélude a l’après midi d’un faune. It’s easy to forget now just how radical this piece was when Debussy premiered it in 1876, but it really did change the vernacular of classical music. The opening phrases, with the dominant flute and harps, are just delightfu and the flute again in the closing moments is beautiful. There’s a liquid delicacy to this piece that I just love, and Stern massaged every moment with a gentle hand and intuitive baton.
The second half of the program was devoted to Sergei Prokofiev’s thrilling Fifth Symphony. This is a big ‘boom-crash’ symphony, a glorious Russian celebration to mark the end of the Second World War. It is a dramatic work, and the ASO rose to the challenge of telling its story. The haunting opening, with flutes and bassoon in full voice, sets the scene for a powerful piece. The snappy second movement, and the unpredictable finale, were handled with care. Again, Stern conducted with a gentle touch that embraced the music and the musicians and allowed each section of the orchestra to shine.
Once again, the ASO proved that it really has reinvented itself over the last few years as a world class orchestra.
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Master 7 | Elgar’s Cello Concerto
Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
Michael Stern – Conductor
Simon Cobcroft – Cello
Debussy – Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune
Elgar – Cello Concerto
Prokofiev – Symphony No 5
Adelaide Town Hall
23-24 September 2016​
