Music / “ANU Orchestra Concerto Gala”. At Llewellyn Hall, October 20. Reviewed by ROB KENNEDY.

IN 2020, I reported on the ANU Orchestra’s first performance. I described them as a quality orchestra. Today, they could give other orchestras a run for their money.

With ANU School of Music students and a couple of alumni, the first piece on the program was the “Concertino in Eb Major”, Op.26, by Carl Maria von Weber, featuring soloist Milan Kolundzija on clarinet.

The Concertino moved into a mellow and gentle theme after the dramatic opening. Kolundzija created an expressive tone and handled the fast runs with ease. Producing a full strong sound, the orchestra treated this stimulating music with clarity and finesse. Even in the many slower and quieter sections, everything sounded even and well-marked.

For the “Cello Concerto No.1 in Eb Major”, Op.107, mvmt. 1, by Dmitri Shostakovich with soloist James Monro on cello, this dynamic music was on song from the first note. Exciting music like this requires an expressive and together orchestra and these young players showed they were up to the task. Monro is a dynamo on the cello. The section where one French horn and Monro get to combine and attack the music with vigour, excited and amazed. Someone needs to get Monro a music manager now because he is going places.

The “Scottish Fantasy” Op.46, mvmt. 3 & mvmt. 4, by Max Bruch, with soloist Brad Tham playing violin came next. This romantic music requires a skilful and sensitive soloist. Tham is an imposing performer, not just in his dexterity, but also in his expressive tone. This is highlighted by his flowing bodily gestures. He is a pleasure to watch and listen to.

Gently, the third movement unravelled in warmth and story. The technicality required from the soloist increased greatly for the final movement. Tham handled everything exceptionally. This was quality music from orchestra and soloist.

After the interval, the orchestra without soloist got to show the quality of their playing. They did this through “Der Beherrscher der Geister”, Op.27, by Carl Maria von Weber.

In the pounding pulse that opens this piece, and in the following minutes, some of the players struggled slightly to maintain an even tone and their timing needed to be tighter. But the overall sound quality, especially from the strings, created lively music with a strong finish.

The “Flute Concerto”, Op.283, by Carl Reinecke, with soloist Emma Claire, followed. As an alumnus, Claire has passed the test and is on her way as a professional musician. We heard her exceptional playing in this lyrical piece. She captured every note with a tone of distinction.

With Renne Goosens in the audience, the daughter of the composer, the final work of the night was the “Oboe Concerto”, Op.45, by Eugene Goossens, with soloist Zoë Loxley Slump, oboe. This eclectic and sprightly music is an exciting piece from a much-overlooked composer. Goossens made his mark as a conductor, but this piece shows as a composer, he was nothing short of outstanding.

Loxley Slump created a telling story in this fascinating piece. The extended section for gong, bass drum and oboe, mesmerised in its unique tone colour. Here we heard the impressive quality of the soloist’s ability. Combined with her stunning stage presence, it created a sparkling way to finish the concert.

With the large audience, the word has got around about the quality of the ANU Orchestra. The music teachers at the ANU deserve long and loud applause for their efforts at getting their students to this level of quality.