The Bolero title of Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra concert, with its promise of high-octane music making, must have played some part in drawing a near full house. However, the first few minutes of the evening were
Classical review: Bolero, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra
An ebullient orchestra contributed a succession of crisp solos throughout Ravel's cheeky first movement. In between this and a runaway finale, Schwizgebel fashioned pure poetry in the Adagio, against a series of luminous woodwind solos culminating in Martin Lee's cor anglais singing its heart out over gossamer piano scales.
In the six minutes setting the stage for Ravel's Bolero, a sense the charged anticipation was running through the hall, and it was still in the air during Kathryn Moorhead's sinuous flute solo over Eric Renick's implacable snare drum.
Bold and flamboyant, with crooning saxes and some unexpected choreography in the bass line-up, it was tumultuously exciting — little wonder that Yamada couldn't resist a touch of podium dancing. But then, after all, the piece was written for Ida Rubinstein, star of the Ballets Russes.
What: Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra - Bolero
Where: Auckland Town Hall