Comments on: Monumental NZSO concert of Russian masterpieces with cellist Johannes Moser https://middle-c.org/2018/10/monumental-nzso-concerto-of-russia-masterpieces-with-cellist-johannes-moser/ Classical Music Reviews, Wellington, New Zealand Mon, 15 Oct 2018 08:36:48 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.3 By: Lindsay Stockbridge https://middle-c.org/2018/10/monumental-nzso-concerto-of-russia-masterpieces-with-cellist-johannes-moser/comment-page-1/#comment-694256 Mon, 15 Oct 2018 08:36:48 +0000 https://middle-c.org/?p=14371#comment-694256 I travelled from Whanganui on Saturday because I wanted to hear the NZSO again AND I wanted to hear the Shostakovich AND I wanted to hear Johannes Mosen play BUT I wanted to see Peter Ountjian conduct. Why? I’ve admired him ever since buying the DVD “Five Days in September” which highlighted the part he played in reinvigorating the Toronto Symphony Orchestra 14 years ago.

I wasn’t disappointed. I bought a seat which didn’t give me the best sound in the house but which, from door 21, gave me a perfect view of Ountjian’s brilliant work in collaborating with the players to bring out a top performance.

To this non-player with nevertheless a keen interest in symphonic music which compels six to eight concert journeys per annum, Ountjian’s work was fantastic. The eyebrows, the smiles, the winks – all were put to work, along with all-encompassing arm movement (no doubt there’s a technical term)and careful and well-timed “your turn” signals to individual players (another term, please tell me).

So, NZSO+++, Mosen+++ (wow!), Shostakovich+++ (who else?)- but most of all Peter Ountjian – PRIMO!!!

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