QUEENSLAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Maestro 3

Friday 2 April
QPAC Concert Hall

Muhai Tang, conductor
Jack Liebeck, violin

Mahler  Symphony No 5
Dvorak  Violin Concerto in A

A CONCERT TO REMEMBER

Muhai Tang, the former Chief conductor of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra made a welcome return to Brisbane to conduct a performance of the mighty Symphony No 5 by Mahler at the Third Maestro Concert at the QPAC Concert Hall on Saturday 3 April.

Mahler’s fans, in fact any music lover, would have trilled at the drama and color in Tang’s reading of this monumental work described by the master of words, Neville Cardus, as one of the seven wonders of the symphonic world.

The QSO responded to Tang’s compelling beat in playing which was full of emotion and passion. The precision of the ensemble was never in question, Tang revealing an intimate knowledge of both score and style.

The many emotions in this colossal work were captured in rich string tones and full-blooded brass and woodwind. There were outstanding solo contributions from trumpet, horn and harp.

The program opened with the Violin Concerto in A by Dvorak. This is a work demanding a virtuoso soloist and, in English violinist Jack Liebeck, it had the perfect interpreter - a violinist with the highest degree of musicianship and artistry. Haunting sonorities and flighting rhythms were explored in a performance that was both lyrical and powerful. Guided sensitively by Tang, there was always a beautifully balanced dialogue between soloist and orchestra.

This had to be one of the most exciting concerts I have been to in a long time, Tang and Liebeck combining to present a most memorable performance.

Barbara Hebden