Ian C. Douglas headed to Royal Concert Hall to witness the majesty of Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra...
With the World’s attention currently focused on Central Europe and the fate of the former USSR satellites, what better than to welcome Croatia’s top orchestra, the Zagreb Philharmonic, to Nottingham.
And music-lovers were in for a treat. The evening kicked off with Dora Pejačević’s Overture in D Minor. Pejačević being a pioneering Croatian composer from the early twentieth century and the first to write a concerto. Her Overture in D is bold and exuberant, alternating between marching moments and quieter segments. You may hear snatches reminiscent of Strauss or Wagner.
Next up, to take us to the intermission, was Sibelius’ Violin Concerto in D Minor. And for the part of virtuoso violinist, upcoming star Tamsin Waley-Cohen joined the stage. The Concert Hall’s programme describes Tamsin as having ‘an adventurous career’. And she certainly has an impressive CV, with tours all around the world and performances at top notch venues. Tonight, she excelled at Sibelius, and the sense of awe in the stalls was palpable. Note perfect and performed with gusto. It was a privilege to hear her play.
After the break and it was the turn of Gustav Mahler and his First Symphony. To quote the Concert Hall’s web site, [Symphony Number 1] ‘is no less ground-breaking, reflecting his belief that the symphony must be like the world. It must contain everything.’
A concert of flawless, inspiring performances that drew rapturous applause from the audience
Indeed, Mahler drew widely for the piece, evoking peasant dances, military anthems and even a parodic funeral march based on the nursery rhyme Frère Jacques. You could close your eyes and feel yourself adrift on oceanic currents of raw harmony. The melody rising like a great wave, tossing you up, only for you to slide down the far side, hungry for the next swell of symphonic energy.
Jan Latham-Koenig was the conductor, clearly well-beloved by his orchestra and the concertgoers alike. With a back catalogue of credits as long as a cellist’s bow, Latham-Koenig has held many positions among the cream of the classical world. Conductor at the Kobolov Novaya Opera Theatre in Moscow and Music Director at Teatro Municipal of Santiago being just two. His no-nonsense, on-with-the-show approach, kept proceedings admirably brisk and workmanlike.
And what of the Zagreb Orchestra itself? Its origins date back over a hundred years. When it is not playing in its homeland it is touring the world and working with the stars off the international concert circuit. They consider themselves ambassadors for Croatia and they most definitely put it on the musical map.
A concert of flawless, inspiring performances that drew rapturous applause from the audience. A tonic for the soul in these troubling days.
The Zagreb Philharmonic’s Concert took place at the Royal Concert Hall on Friday 8 April 2022. For information about concerts at the Royal Concert Hall in 2022 please visit their website
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