Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Concert: Enigma Variations
15 September 2005, Thursday, 7:30 PM
Victoria Concert Hall
Led by Music Director Chan Tze Law, the Conservatory Orchestra opens its third concert season with Elgar’s masterpiece, the Enigma Variations. Laurence Gargan, Principal Trumpet of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and artist faculty member at the Conservatory, is the soloist in Oskar Bohme’s rarely performed and unashamedly romantic Trumpet Concerto.
Firstly, many thanks to Tin Hee for helping Candice, Chrislyn, Boyuan, and me get FREE tickets (we saved $8) for this concert. I realised that this was the first time in many years for me in experiencing an orchestra 'live'.
The opening piece, Night on Bald Mountain by Mussorgsky brimmed full of mystery, leaving the audience unbeknownst as to what might happen next. I particularly liked the dynamics of this piece and was astounded at the large dynamic range it featured. Laurence Gargan's solo, Trumpet Concerto in E minor, Op. 18 (Oscar Bohme) was full of affection. I noted that it was a tiring piece... Laurence drank water after every short movement. I could also see his face redden in exhaustion.
After the intermission, the highlight of the concert was Variations on an Original Theme (Enigma), Op. 36 (Edward Elgar). Having 15 variations, I saw how creative Elgar was as he wrote each variation on one of the favourite people in his life, describing each person intimately. I enjoyed this last piece the most and I'm certainly looking forward to the various concerts/masterclasses I'll be attending during the vacation.
6:52 am *
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Concert: Enigma Variations
15 September 2005, Thursday, 7:30 PM
Victoria Concert Hall
Led by Music Director Chan Tze Law, the Conservatory Orchestra opens its third concert season with Elgar’s masterpiece, the Enigma Variations. Laurence Gargan, Principal Trumpet of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and artist faculty member at the Conservatory, is the soloist in Oskar Bohme’s rarely performed and unashamedly romantic Trumpet Concerto.
Firstly, many thanks to Tin Hee for helping Candice, Chrislyn, Boyuan, and me get FREE tickets (we saved $8) for this concert. I realised that this was the first time in many years for me in experiencing an orchestra 'live'.
The opening piece, Night on Bald Mountain by Mussorgsky brimmed full of mystery, leaving the audience unbeknownst as to what might happen next. I particularly liked the dynamics of this piece and was astounded at the large dynamic range it featured. Laurence Gargan's solo, Trumpet Concerto in E minor, Op. 18 (Oscar Bohme) was full of affection. I noted that it was a tiring piece... Laurence drank water after every short movement. I could also see his face redden in exhaustion.
After the intermission, the highlight of the concert was Variations on an Original Theme (Enigma), Op. 36 (Edward Elgar). Having 15 variations, I saw how creative Elgar was as he wrote each variation on one of the favourite people in his life, describing each person intimately. I enjoyed this last piece the most and I'm certainly looking forward to the various concerts/masterclasses I'll be attending during the vacation.
6:52 am *
