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The Wallfisch Band
Venetian Carnival

The Wallfisch Band Review

Andrew Buchanan-Smart, The Waikato Times

23 May 2010

A sense of Venice in the early 18th century pervaded this unique Venetian style concert. It was alive, vibrant and very much music making of the moment; witnessed as it unfolded full of energy, full of Venetian intrigue. The carnival like atmosphere with the associated sensuality was captured musically. The magic, unique musical colours and textures were tinted with rich hues and a dynamic range which took the meaning of soft to a new level. Elizabeth Wallfisch with three European colleagues worked with nine young antipodean musicians for one week to form this excellent 12 piece band, which performed in the baroque style, using baroque bows.

The alternating works of Locatelli and Vivaldi worked well; full of subtle differences and harmonic nuances which provided enough contrast for the aural palette to be richly rewarded. The works, a mixture of concerti for violin, violins and celli, and a concerti grosso for strings, displayed warmth and excellent ensemble playing where the interplay between soloists and the ensemble were exceptional with the balance finely judged. The works were articulated both delicately and with exuberance as the musical context dictated; cadences were colourfully stressed. The ideal acoustic enhanced their performance. The final Locatelli capriccio displayed memorable virtuosity.

One could say that it was easy to ‘swoon with pleasure’ as an 18th century reviewer commented.         

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