Performances brilliantly crafted, balanced

A large audience in the Dunedin Town Hall on Saturday witnessed the performance of works by two musical giants — one Māori and one German.

After a supportive, welcoming karanga (ceremonial call) by Lily Fraser, the world premiere public performance of an exceptionally moving and brilliantly crafted work by Dame Gillian Whitehead, depicting the little known story of a whare called Mataatua, followed.

Dame Gillian’s complex score was conducted with exemplary clarity by James Judd. The Journey of Mataatua Whare: the House That Came Home is in four movements and features three soloists, choir and orchestra. The specially formed Dunedin Symphony Orchestra Chorus of 16 local singers sang with precision and dramatic flair, but choral blend was lacking.

The soloists were uniformly excellent. Soprano Rebecca Ryan, representing the voice of Mataatua, sang her searingly difficult angular lines with effortless ease; baritone Tomairangi Henare’s warm and resonant voice represented te ao Māori; and the commanding presence and voice of bass Paul Whelan represented the Pakeha world and bureaucracy.

Dame Gillian’s ability to create orchestral soundscapes both contemporary and romantic, moving seamlessly from one to the other, is remarkable and the orchestra was able to achieve the composer’s demands with poise and confidence.

Brahms’ Piano Concerto No 2 in B Flat major Opus 83 is a giant among piano concerti.

Maestro Judd skilfully managed the balance between piano and orchestra, allowing pianist Jian Liu to illuminate Brahms’ intentions from the very first notes he played. In the opening movement were the heart-rending pianissimi and heart-tingling fortissimi. Liu articulated Brahms’ melodic genius in the second movement; the third movement began and ended with a haunting cello solo, which eventually culminated in an exquisite pianissimo piano ending. The final movement featured an exuberant dance-like rondo, bringing the concerto to a sparkling finish.

Liu paid tribute to Whitehead by playing her Lullaby for Matthew as an encore.

Dame Gillian is of one of Dunedin’s international treasures, and the DSO is to be congratulated for giving her such splendid support.

Review by Judy Bellingham