News and Reviews

Review: sinfonia ViVA with Lauma Skride
Assembly Rooms, Derby, 16th Apr 2008

sinfonia ViVA's relationship with their new Principal Conductor André de Ridder seems to be settling down nicely. The clarity and directness of the performances on this occasion suggest that there are exciting times ahead.

Haydn's Symphony No.83 got a performance full of crisp, rhythmic drive, and similar qualities characterised the account of Beethoven's Fourth Symphony that ended the evening. The slow introduction had a real sense of mystery, while the vigour and clarity of the playing ensured that the colours of Beethoven's orchestra emerged fresh and sparkling. In spite of one or two slightly shaky moments these were exhilarating performances.

In between, soloist Lauma Skride joined the orchestra for not one but two piano concertos. Judith Weir's is the characteristically concise, low-key work of a composer who rejects what she describes as "the crashingly loud side of music". Pianist and orchestra projected the work's luminous sound-world to excellent effect; they were particularly good at pointing up the contrasts between the sharper and the smoother textures of Weir's writing. Before the concert the composer gave an absorbing pre-concert interview with Lynne Walker of The Independent.

After the interval, Haydn's Piano Concerto in D was given a bright, alert reading, spellbinding in the second movement and playful in the gypsy-style finale.

Review by Mike Wheeler