Following on from the concert with the Quartetto di Cremona a month ago with Italian instrumental music from the beginning of the 20th century, the Sunday matinee with the Ulster Orchestra under Daniele Rustioni once again focused on those composers, from the perspective of playing with orchestral colours. Especially with Ottorino Respighi, whose “Fontane di Roma” opened the second part, as well as with Ildebrando Pizzetti’s incidental music for D’Annunzio’s “La Pisanella”, they are strongly influenced by impressionism. As the Austrian premiere, Gian Francesco Malipiero’s “Everyday Phantasy” was played with instrumental finesse.
Outstanding: Martin Riccabona
The most impressive piece was the “Concerto romano” for organ and orchestra by Alfredo Casella with surprising timbres. The outstanding soloist was Martin Riccabona, who conjured up perfect timbres and carried people away with his inspiring playing. An organ can only sound as good as the organist has fantasies for registering and the flair for subtly tuning them to the orchestra. Technically highly virtuosic, a gripping interpretation succeeded. The rest of the program was marked by the fiery, dynamic and yet extremely precise conducting of Daniele Rustioni, Principal Conductor of the Ulster Orchestra Belfast, who showed himself from his best side. “Encore” by Paolo Marzocchi was a rousing bouncer. (wuss)
Source: Nachrichten
