A marvellous and disturbing Pierrot Lunaire from Stroma New Music Ensemble

By Simon Holden, 27 November 2012

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Reviewed at Wellington Town Hall: Ilott Theatre, Wellington on 25 November 2012

Eisler, Fourteen Ways of Describing the Rain

Webern, String Trio, Op.20

Schoenberg, Pierrot lunaire

Stroma Ensemble

Madeleine Pierard, Soprano

Hamish McKeich, Conductor

Inside out: Eight Songs for a Mad King in Auckland

Simon Holden, 11th March

The vocal part requires a range covering over five octaves, from the lowest bass notes to a high falsetto and Robert Tucker coped amazingly with the score’s lyrical elements and the various shrieking, whispering and clucking noises he was called upon to create.

****1

Mozart and a Firebird in uplifting stream from New Zealand SO

Graham Watts, 17th April

Slick editing and filming of an exhilarating and uplifting performance conducted by Hamish McKeich in Wellington.

*****

Esfahani's Poulenc the highlight in Auckland

Simon Holden, 30th March

Notwithstanding Esfahani and McKeish’s sterling account of the Poulenc and the orchestra’s thrilling take on The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, this was not a consistent enough concert to be called a complete success.

***11

ENB: R:Evolution showcases tenacity, legacy and talent

Deborah Weiss, 1st October

English National Ballet opens its season at Sadler’s Wells with a quadruple bill showcasing the versatility, virtuosity and endless capabilities of the company throughout the ranks.

****1

Young and the Sydney Symphony perform a splendid Die Walküre

Zoltán Szabó, 15th November

Wotan's predicaments provide Sydney's victory: Chief Conductor Simone Young has her musicians on some of their best form in recent years, with only a few question marks over an excellent concert performance.

****1

Gemma New and the NZSO travel through twentieth century music

Simon Holden, 27th October

Centred around Scriabin’s mystical Poem of Ecstasy, a thrilling journey through the byways of twentieth century music takes in New Zealand, Finland and France.

****1

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Simon Holden

Simon is an operaphile based in Auckland, New Zealand. He wrote his dissertation on Japanese popular music. With a background in piano and classical music retail, he spends his time attending as much opera or vocal concert as he can and blogs at irishenceaway.blogspot.com.