Fantastic music, and stunningly played

WHAT: Vector Wellington Orchestra, conducted by Marc Taddei with Chapman Tripp Opera Chorus, Margaret Medlyn (soprano), Paul Whelan (bass/baritone). Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms and Bartok's Bluebeard's Castle WHERE: Wellington Town Hall, Saturday

This was the most exciting concert in prospect; highlight of the Vector Wellington Orchestra's 2008 programme.

It was not going to attract quite the full houses of other concerts, but the generous attendance must have been gratifying, and the performances produced huge enthusiasm.

With good reason, for this was an evening of fantastic music and an astonishing level of achievement.

The Symphony of Psalms is at the pinnacle of Stravinsky's neo-classical output – a work of magnetic, atmospheric intensity, highlighted by orchestration dominated by wind and brass, and a chorus that evokes the sounds of the Russian church and a certain French reediness.

It makes an unforgettable sound. If the balances, with the two pianos up front, clouded some of the wind playing and revealed a chorus a few voices short of an ideal number, it still made a wonderful impact.

But not quite the impact of the performance of Bartok's great one- act opera.

This was a sensational performance. Margaret Medlyn and Paul Whelan were perfectly cast, both giving us riveting singing, fully inside all aspects of this most effective of psychodramas.

Both projected with enormous power, clearly able to ride Bartok's huge orchestra. This was important given that, in Aidan Lang's semi- staging, each moved constantly to positions within the orchestra.

And the orchestra was magnificent.

The strings gave us the sheen and body the score demands, and the brass and wind played with power and clarity. Marc Taddei conducted with tremendous authority – who will ever forget the sheer impact of the opening of the Fifth Door, with full orchestra and organ.

Lang provided a simple slide display to outline the story, leaving the audience to ponder the psychological implications. Aided by some excellent lighting, he managed to enhance an already stunning performance.

- © Fairfax NZ News