Review: High praise for Opus Orchestra concert

Gareth Farr performed with the Opus Orchestra in Rotorua on Sunday. Photo / Supplied

What: Opus Orchestra
Where: Destiny Church
When: Sunday

Opus's conductor Peter Walls deserves high praise for devising a programme of distinction and leading an orchestra which had consistent freshness and vitality.

Bach's Ouverture No.1 made a bright start to the concert, noted by elegant strings and colourful woodwind.

A new marimba concerto from the New Zealand composer Gareth Farr has been a monumental event, and it had a soloist who fully did it justice.

The sight and sound of Yoshiko Tsuruta was impressive, indeed, when she was in full flight, wielding mallets on wooden bars ranged along the 3m long instrument.

Yoshiko Tsuruta was impressive in full flight. Photo / Supplied

One can only marvel at her co-ordination, agility and skill in getting a wide range of tones and dynamics.

This performance highlighted the value of co-ordination: here it was between the enterprising conductor, a composer familiar with the instrument, a gifted soloist and generous funding by members of the Friends of Opus Orchestra.

The orchestral scoring was rich and imaginative, but it was a pity that so much the audiences' attention was turned to the soloist.

Copland's Quiet City depicts the remorse of a man over his life's choices and this was captured well as a misty atmosphere by the orchestra, and playing of a high order by solo trumpet and cor anglais.

Haydn's Farewell had excitement and drive until the finale when the real farewell began by 'Petering out' with a light-hearted mass exodus by the players; even the conductor, too.

One by one, they left the stage until only two lonely but graceful violins were left behind.

- Hanno Fairburn