18 September 2024.
Other audience members also responded with glowing praise in our post-concert survey. Many responses mentioned the clear enjoyment of our TSO musicians under the direction of our Chief Conductor and Artistic Director Eivind Aadland, who conducted Beethoven’s Fifth entirely from memory.
‘The conducting (was) full of vitality and impressive, particularly in Beethoven’s fifth without the use of a score,’ one audience member wrote.
“It was the best rendition of Beethoven's 5th I've ever heard,’ another survey respondent said. Yet another commented: ‘Wonderful surround sound and amazing conductor and musicians to pull off yet another genius concert on such a cold night.’
- audience member, Beethoven's Fifth
In Limelight, Donnelly also called out Eivind Aadland’s conducting and gave special mention to our Principal Timpani Matthew Goddard.
‘It was again remarkable how fresh and newly minted this perennial favourite sounded in (Aadland’s) hands. The control of tension, such as the sense of anticipation and hushed dynamic achieved at the transition to the exciting finale, was highly effective, with Matthew Goddard’s soft taps on timpani registering tellingly from his positioning amongst the cellos and basses on the stage’, Donnelly wrote.
‘The whole orchestra was on top form throughout, thrillingly focused and incisive, making this a highlight of this concert season,’ the reviewer added.
Donnelly also had high praise for our guest soprano, Camilla Tilling who performed Gustav Mahler’s Rückert Lieder.
The concert opened with English composer Anna Clyne’s Restless Oceans.
- Peter Donnelly, Limelight
‘Short, intense and overflowing with positive rhythmic energy, with a contrasting melting flute melody as well as the inclusion of stomping feet and vocalisation from orchestral players, it was instantly gripping and totally exhilarating,’ Donnelly wrote of the TSO's Restless Oceans performance in his Limelight review.
Luckily for those in the front row, there were no flying batons for the dramatic finish of Restless Oceans, unlike during the dress rehearsal (see video below)!
Be the first to hear about TSO concerts, programs and news! Join our mailing list today.