Conductor: Victoria Trenwith
Concertmaster: Sharon Stephens
Soloists: Sharon Stephens (Violin), Jordan Wise (Oboe)
Featuring: Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra and Hamilton City Pops Orchestra
Hamilton’s oldest orchestra Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra (TWSO) combined with the newest orchestra Hamilton City Pops Orchestra (HCPO) to delight everyone attending a Mother’s Day concert at St Paul’s Collegiate chapel. The collaboration started with a piece that conductor Victoria Trenwith described as a “giant exclamation mark” - Richard Strauss’ Also sprach Zarathustra and finished the afternoon with one of classical music’s most dynamic pieces Gioachino Rossini’s William Tell Overture.
The audience was transported aurally across an incredible range of movies - 2001: A Space Odyssey, Barbie, Sleeping Beauty, Saving Private Ryan, Schindler’s List, Forrest Gump, Harry Potter, Gladiator, The Lone Ranger, and more.
Once again it was a delight to see the teen Matthews on stage – Chanwai and Colvin. Maria Colvin had a busy time on the piccolo as did the five-strong percussion section. Colin Ogle contributed the distinctive sound of the alto saxophone. Across the stage, all sixteen sections of the orchestra were proficient and tight.
Accomplished multi-instrument musician Jordan Wise who often appears for the TWSO, HCPO, Waikato Symphonic Band and the Cambridge Brass Band took on the soloist role for Ennio Morricone’s Gabriel’s Oboe. This work was composed for the 1986 film The Mission, and Wise captured the essence of the emotional and poignant melody with utter grace. Wise received extensive applause for his charming oboe performance.
During intermission, concertmaster Sharon Stephens tuned her e-string down half a step to prepare as the soloist for Camille Saint-Saens Danse Macabre Op.40. Stephens drove her violin to the nth degree, completely conquering the sensational work.
Since its inception in 2021, HCPO has redefined the orchestral concert experience. This is partly due to offering an extraordinary variety of bite-sized selections, but it is mainly due to Trenwith and her affable nature. Her explanations are informative, appropriate and witty. Under her (at times completely flat tack) baton, the orchestra were impeccably behaved and were as enraptured with Trenwith as was the audience.
The collaboration between TWSO and HCPO was a stroke of genius that filled the venue to capacity. Hopefully, this merger continues on as an annual event ensuring fans and players of both orchestras can appreciate the combined strength in numbers.
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