MELBOURNE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, 22 JUNE 2009
Programme:

Debussy: Printemps
Elgar: Cello Concerto
Prokoviev: Symphony No. 5

Conductor: Yan Pascal Tortelier
Soloist: Matthew Barley - Cello

3 out of 5 stars

Sorry, was I clapping too loudly?

There was a time when it was de rigeur for an audience to clap (or cheer, or boo, or hiss or gesticulate in an ungracious manner) after each movement of a symphony or concerto or some such. Considered bad manners now, it was somewhat surprising then that at the end of the rousing first movement to Prokofiev's Fifth some members audience burst into enthusiastic applause! Traditionalists perhaps? Fervent Red Army supporters bearing hands in solidarity for their fallen comrades maybe? Or philistines mistakenly believing that this was the shortest Symphony in history - a one movement wonder?
This was, mostly, a rousing performance from the MSO of a particularly difficult piece to both perform and, at times, to listen to. That Tortelier was such a student of this work was evident in his enthusiasm and gymnastic gyrations throughout - indeed, quite mesmerising and entertaining in itself that one became quite distracted during the mostly discordant second and third movements.
The programme opened with Debussey's Printemps but fell well short in all sections. the sound was muddied and at times bung notes and sloppy play were quite audible. Overall, the effect was like listening to a feature length Disney cartoon but without Bambi and Thumper.
Elgar's Cello Concerto was outstanding and Barley was nothing short of majestic.
I gave him a huge hand!