Review - QSOs Beethoven’s Ode to Joy: full of energy, elegance, and beauty.
By Nahima Abraham
Beethoven’s Ode to Joy
Presented by the QSO
Conducted by Umberto Clerici QPAC Concert Hall
South Bank
Brisbane
Retiring Concertmaster Warwick Adeney. Image by Sarah Marshall
In continuation of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s spectacular program for 2023, the performance for Ode to Joy, over three special events, was truly magnificent. Helmed by conductor Umberto Clerici, the performance was full of energy, elegance, and beauty.
Beginning with two very special pieces, featuring didgeridoo virtuoso, William Barton, the QSO, and some eminent guests, the paring of the ancient didgeridoo and a full orchestra is one you might not expect day to day. However, the results are thrilling, exciting, and above all, represent the sharing we all do on this good Earth. Kalkani, was the first piece of the performance, in a world premiere, arranged for orchestra by Robert Davidson.
Kalkani is a recent collaboration between Barton and powerhouse violinist Véronique Serret. The music positively soared. It was mournful, poignant, and gave the audience chills from across the proscenium arch.
In perfect counterpart followed Peter Sculthorpe’s Earth Cry which, once again, filled the QPAC space with message-laden song that echoed a deeper meaning. From the first pondering drums to the last breathy notes of the digeridoo that filled the room with spirit Earth Cry seemed to speak beyond all time and pleaded in resounding tongues to respect the land on which we stand. It held a power that held the collective breath of the audience till its very last notes. Finally, what many patrons would have seen on the program, was the final symphony of Romantic great, Ludwig von Beethoven.
His 9th and last symphony weaves in all manner of theme and variation, with its leitmotif dancing and flitting about between wind, strings and brass. Yet, it was the final movement that held all the magic. The presto is when the symphony truly reaches a height that at the time of composition was unique, novel, and spectacular.
Featuring the Brisbane Chamber Choir, and four soloists, you could hear a pin drop just as they stood to sing. And then that intense and heady wall of sound hit the audience. Singing of pure Joy, that elusive muse, brought the concert to a head, and blasted the space with limitless beauty. It was a joyous celebration, and a joyous farewell, not least for concertmaster Warwick Adeney and QSO violinist, Joan Shih, both retiring from the orchestra to fulfil other endeavours.
Ode to Joy was a performance for the ages. It made us think, cry, and tap our toes for fear of the music running dry. Every single person stood for the ovation, to mark the end of an era for QSO. And what an era it was.