Gerard Korsten: the LMP performed wonderfully well under his direction
BELLA BARTOCK rides again! Inside Croydon’s culture vulture swooped into the Fairfield Halls on Saturday for the opening of a series of classical music
The opening concert of the Fairfield Halls International Classical Music Series 2011-2012 was performed by The London Mozart Players with their Music Director, Gerard Korsten, returning for his second season with works by three composers.
Born in South Africa, Korsten began his career as a violinist after studying in Salzburg and in America. He has held positions of Principal Conductor of the State Theatre in Pretoria and was appointed Music Director of the Orchestra del Teatro Lirico di Cagliari from 1999 to 2005. Since then, Korsten has conducted orchestras at world-renowned venues including La Scala in Milan, Glyndebourne and at the ENO in London. This is the second season of a three-year contract to work with the London Mozart Players.
Saturday’s concert opened with Mozart’s Overture to the Magic Flute which, in this performance, was truly magical.
This was followed by Haydn’s Symphony No. 96 in D major (Miracle), and performed with real 18th century enlightenment.
The grand finale after the interval was Schubert’s Symphony No.9, in C Major (Great).
Both conductor and orchestra gave a superb rendition, revealing the many contrasts within the work and proving that “Great” in this context was not mere hyperbole.
For previous music reviews, click here
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