Such clever programming in Virtuoso Voices, the presentation by Orchestra Wellington and Orpheus Choir Wellington of Bartók’s Cantata Profana and Orff’s Carmina Burana! Both composed in the 1930s, and similar in form, Orff’s work has been very popular while Bartók’s striking work is not often performed. By such programming are our musical horizons extended.
“…we were lucky to have heard it under Marc Taddei and Orchestra Wellington in such an enthusiastic and committed performance.”
“The ever-ebullient Mark Taddei pointed out that a theme of this concert was youth….Orchestra Wellington performed Suk’s Serenade for Strings well, capturing different moods and tempi convincingly: sunny and lyrical in the first movement, lilting and merry in the second, soulful and romantic in the third, and energetic and playful in the fourth…That there was an almost full audience despite the attraction of election night results testifies to Orchestra Wellington’s popularity.”
“It may have been election night, but there were the usual 2000-plus patrons present for this long and eventful concert…And then there was the programme proper; three works of some substance, none of which figure in concerts very often…The work suits Taddei and his orchestra, and they finished a long night with some brilliant playing.”
“…this was always a moment I’d considered special, but on this occasion one that infused me with incredible joy and excitement at having experienced a kind of long-awaited fulfilment of the music’s promise! – unforgettable!”