Here was Harris, our country’s foremost symphonist, taking a saunter on the lighter side, with the players relishing every frothy syncopation.
Continuing with local composers, there was much to admire in the accomplished craft of Anthony Young’s Firmament, with its complex weave of undulating semiquavers. Striking moments included clear, sustained ensemble chords over Sam Brough’s cool and measured bassoon solo.
Leonie Holmes’ Ritual focused on tonal contrasts - particularly between Manghi’s alto flute and Peter Scholes’ bass clarinet. Simon Williams’ horn was a strong, anchoring presence and, towards the end, Manghi’s outburst of flutter-tongued freedom was a welcome touch of the adventuresome in a concert that had to this point been relatively conservative.
After interval, we were treated to two major works by Gyorgy Ligeti and Paul Hindemith.
Ligeti’s Six Bagatelles reflect the spirit of his countryman Bartok, who was tributed poignantly in the penultimate short piece. Pithy and winningly whimsical, the Hungarian composer’s friskier pages were punched out with infectious ebullience.
Hindemith’s Kleine Kammermusik, another classic, was a welcoming finale, written originally and rendered on Saturday night with a bubbling fluency and sureness. What else might one expect from a composer who, later in America, would delight in making his own Christmas cards and develop a fondness for Disney movies?
