TRUST WAIKATO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PRESENTS TCHAIKOVSKY No. 5

Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra Conductor: Rupert D’Cruze Concertmaster: Ann Speed Soloist: Bill Stoneham Venue: St Paul’s Collegiate Chapel Programme: Humperdinck: Prelude from Hansel and Gretel Hummel: Trumpet Concerto in E flat Major Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op 64

A blustery afternoon viewable through the altar window at St Paul’s Collegiate Chapel provided an attractive backdrop for the Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra’s autumn concert.

Humperdink’s Prelude from Hansel and Gretel opened with the brass section which was was fitting for a programme that would next feature a trumpet solo. Ann Speed kept the violins beautifully in sync during the concise piece. Famously first conducted by Richard Strauss and later Gustav Mahler, the Prelude’s melodies are Wagnerian in style, and the TWSO did it justice under D’Cruze’s baton.

Hummel’s Trumpet Concerto in E flat Major is likely to convince anyone that they would want to take up the instrument. Soloist Bill Stoneham produced a masterclass in technique while D’Cruze kept the orchestra at bay so that Stoneham’s astonishing talent could truly shine. The third movement was played with such joyful vigor that a youngster in the audience could no longer contain himself and leapt into the aisle to also conduct. Stoneham, D’Cruze and TWSO were met with resounding applause.

After the interval D’Cruze took the time to introduce Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No.5 in E minor. He said explained the composition was a journey of despair and darkness that ended in triumph and glory. He rightly requested that the audience reserve their applause until the completion of the symphony.

D’Cruze conducted in a controlled manner, reassuring the members and interacting individually to foster confidence and garner volume when required. The passion of all players was evident as was their respect for their conductor. The symphony premiered over 130 years ago but still holds up as a spellbinding and emotional musical odyssey. The TWSO’s performance was accomplished, utterly moving and memorable.

Sadly the entire concert was marred by an incessant high pitched squeak, the origins of which were never discovered, and the rasp of seating hinges. Perhaps the audience members who had no capacity to sit still were completely unaware of the distraction their movement was causing.

However when the whole orchestra was producing a full symphonic sound the squeaks and rasps were thankfully masked by the glorious musicality of TWSO. Those who dared brave the autumnal weather were rapturous in their appreciation at the completion of the programme. Bravo, TWSO.