On her third visit in just six years, arguably the world’s leading violinist, Anne Sophie Mutter clearly wanted to share her ability with a delighted Sydney audience.
I have a feeling that the SSO wanted its APT Master Series to finish the year on a high when it nudged its budget with a big orchestra, solo singers, a male chorus (on loan from the Australian Opera) and powered up the organ. Last night’s concert offered something for everybody, with works by Brahms, Bach and Bartok. Between them, the three Bees provided rich contrasts, even though they were all dispensing various forms of despair.
One of the finest of Dvorak’s symphonies, along with two pieces from Smetana’s popular set of tone poems provided safe and enjoyable bookends to an ear-challenging contemporary violin concerto at the Sydney Opera House Master Series last night.
