CUSO - CUBAN OVERTURE, WEST SIDE STORY BRAHMS 3rd SYMPHONY

Ed Gertier Conductor

How to turn your holiday into an international musical sensation? Composers can do it – think of Mendelssohn with his near-death Scottish experience rendered as Fingal’s Cave -dangerous waves beat around his little boat for all time. Mozart and Tchaikovsky wrung the most out of Italy and Ravel In Spain created best sellers galore.

 George Gershwin took his fortnight in Havana as inspiration for the cracking Cuban rhapsody in last night’s full-on fabulous performance at West Road. It was such a 1932 hit Gershwin thought he had never been so happy as when it was premiered in New York.  Last night’s audience were delighted too, nearly out of their seats as the joyous Caribbean rhythms rocked the building. Masetro Ed Gertier ( a dead ringer for a youthful Bob Dylan) threw everything at it with energy.

And energy was at the core of Leonard Bernstein’s arrangement of West Side Story dances. It was edgy modern – even though familiar, the nuances of the re-working of the music two years after the original success enhanced the experience. A dazzling array of instruments, banks of brass, perfectly poised percussion  and total engagement from the players made for a fabulous night out.

Isaac Chan conducted with brio

Brahms Third Concerto in the second half, had to lose half the orchestra to leave dozens of strings free to render this remarkable romantic classic. Electric Isaac Chan was fast out of the slips, conducted with massive energy to draw out the players to a nigh on faultless performance.  Heartbreak, drama, death and unrequited love - nineteenth century style makes this classic so epic. It might have been hard after the rumbunctious carnival feel of the first half, but Isaac Chen guided his talented players to a soft but stirring climax .

A wonderful evening from some massively talented young musicians with a great future ahead.