This concert was a bittersweet affair after the announcement that Daniele Rustioni is to leave the Ulster Orchestra at the end of this season. His tenure has been marked by some highly memorable performances, this one being no exception. To a packed Ulster Hall, the audience were given an evening of very fine music-making in an inventive French and Russian programme.
Beginning with Dukas’ ever popular The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, it become clear there was nothing novice-like about Rustioni’s vision which had freshness and impact. The strings had a brightness and the woodwinds cut through the textures. Throughout, the bassoons had the most infectious fun, with some raspy contrabassoon playing initiating a giggle or two. We revelled in the energy in this all too familiar work.
Two Russian items were either side of the interval. Prokofiev’s Sinfonia Concertante, written in 1938, is a rarity and an unusual choice for a season opener. A substantial work, in three movements, it is not as memorable as Prokofiev’s other concertos and it needs an artist like Alban Gerhardt to focus the attention. The technical requirements are very demanding with many changes of position and multiple stops, Gerhardt flawless in his execution. Without faltering, he maintained the rhythmic precision and drive to the end. The more lyrical moments were shaped gently, Gerhardt shifting colours subtly to complement the orchestral palette. In the first movement, the balance between cello and orchestra was superb, both conductor and soloist working strongly together; in the second, the unity between all the musicians was electrifying, especially in the more rhythmic passages. In the third movement Gerhardt and Rustioni focused on the climax, building intensity and excitement to peak perfectly in a performance nothing short of spectacular. As an encore, Gerhardt delighted in the Prelude from Bach’s Sixth Cello Suite.