’Dance Moves’ sees high standard maintained for the Ulster Orchestra
The Ulster Orchestra in its third concert of the season maintained the high standard of the first two with a programme titled Dance Moves, under its new Chief Conductor Anna Handler, in the Ulster Hall last Friday.
The opening piece Appalachian Spring (Ballet for Martha) by the American composer Aaron Copland, was performed in the orchestral version rather than the original which was written for only 13 musicians in the theatre of the Library of Congress.
The piece in eight sections, and played without a break, began quietly but slowly moved with simplicity and precision into the five variations and the rhythmic climax popularly known as “Lord of the Dance”.
There were rhythms a-plenty in Errollyn Wallen’s Violin Concerto the concert’s central focus.
It was premiered by the Calgary Philharmonic in March 2024, and played elsewhere since, but this was the premiere on this island.
Errollyn Wallen, who was present in the Ulster Hall, is a highly-acclaimed international musician, and her multi-layered violin concerto was written partly to depict the memories of the early life of the soloist Philippe Quint, even to the sound of the church bells which he remembers as a child.
This was a turbulent, extremely rhythmic piece which also had beautiful lyrical passages.
It was performed with great soloist virtuosity, and backed by the Ulster Orchestra in top form.
It was also a coup for the Orchestra’s management to stage this landmark concert in the presence of the composer.
The second half was devoted to the Seventh Symphony by Beethoven, who regarded it as one of his best works and the lively Allegretto has always been particularly popular.
Anna Handler and the Ulster Orchestra expertly brought the near-capacity audience through all the changes and nuances, right to the thrilling finale.
It was indeed an inspiring evening of “Dance Moves.”