Orchestra Wellington closed its 2017 season with Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring. Conducted by Marc Taddei the Orchestra offered up a dramatic performance that pleased the crowd. Peter Mechen was at the Michael Fowler Centre on the weekend. He discusses if this was the perfect way to end the year.
“The result was the finest ‘Eroica’ I have heard for a very long time – indeed I have to go back to the late 1980s when famed Beethoven expert, Stephen Kovacevich conducted such a performance…”
“As fans and followers of Orchestra Wellington are aware, the best is always saved until last. I think here, this is an understatement, as Rite of Spring was exceptional. True, it may seem I find Taddei can do no wrong, but I do believe I am not the only one enamoured with our delightful host – he does indeed know how to charm an audience.
“The whole orchestra found and ease and precision not always found in this difficult piece”
“…a performance of Stravinsky’s eponymous ballet “Petrouchka” from Marc Taddei and Orchestra Wellington which I couldn’t imagine bettered in terms of precision, skill, atmosphere and overall theatrical and musical impact…Very great honour, of course, to Marc Taddei and his all-encompassing direction of the score.”