The Queensland Symphony Orchestra presented Faure Requiem on Saturday April 7, the first of its choral performances for this year. Conducted by Stefan Parkman, the orchestra was joined by The Australian Voices, Soprano Morgan Engalnd-Jones and Baritone Teddy Tahu Rhodes. Featuring a selection of theatrically charged pieces, the performance was infused with musical drama.
Opening the evening was Stravinsky’s Funeral Song. Composed as a memorial for Stravinsky’s teacher Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov, Funeral Song was only recently rediscovered and has not been widely performed. Sharing the load among each section of the orchestra, the piece allows more than one performer the opportunity to shine. Dark harmonies, rhythmical currents and chromatic tension were all skilfully navigated by the conductor, steering each performer and section with a steady hand. Britten’s Four Sea Interludes, was performed next by the full orchestra. Evoking sounds of the ocean, crashing waves and squawking seagulls, tension throughout the piece was high.
Whitacre’s cinematic Cloudburst features an eight part choir, piano and percussion section channelling a thunderstorm. Building to the inevitable burst of clouds, the anticipation on stage and off was palpable. At the height of the piece, the singers click, clap and slap their legs mimicking the sound of raindrops. Discordant, off beat and at times chaotic the effect is highly reminiscent of a thunderstorm. Those inside the theatre could be forgiven for thinking it was in fact raining outside.
The orchestra returned and joined The Australian Voices for the finale, Faure’s Requiem. Designed to entice listeners into a beautiful, ethereal sanctuary the effect of a full orchestra and a choir was immense. Enhancing this was the addition of the pipe organ, the instrument which serves as a backdrop for all of QSO’s performances in the Concert Hall.
Hearing the pipe organ put to work at any time is a delight, but when accompanied by the orchestra and the choir was aural perfection. Soprano Morgan England-Jones added beauty and grace, while strength, gravitas and power were provided by Baritone Teddy Tahu Rhodes. Stefan Parkman, who has stepped into the role of conductor while Alondra de la Parra is on maternity leave, is a delight to watch. Attentive, light and precise in his movements and always gently smiling, the mutual respect between himself and the orchestra is evident. QSO’s next performance, An Emotional Rollercoaster, will take place on Saturday April 14.
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