Curtain Call: Spirit of the Violin
Celebrating the possibilities of the violin and expressive power of music from ballet and opera.
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Queensland Symphony Orchestra shines spotlight on Principal First Violin Johnny van Gend as soloist.
On Sunday 3 May, QSO was abuzz with jubilation returning to QPAC’s Concert Hall on the final stop of their mini tour for Spirit of the Violin, featuring Johnny van Gend as soloist, which had in the week prior traveled to the Gold Coast and Toowoomba where van Gend hails from.
The violinist stepped out from his usual place amongst the ranks to perform works which included Tchaikovsky’s Polonaise from Eugene Onegin and Valse-scherzo which van Gend described as “lots of fun: it’s cheeky, it’s charming, and it has a really soulful and unexpectedly beautiful middle section. It has those melodies that only Tchaikovsky could have written, which just tug at the heartstrings.”
Conducted by Jessica Gethin, van Gend and the orchestra took us on a journey through Waxman’s Carmen Fantasie, a concert arrangement of themes from Bizet’s iconic opera, before moving on to contemporary Australian composer Jessica Wells’ World Premiere concert suite from her ballet Butterfly Effect, a reimagining of Puccini’s classic Madama Butterfly.
To close, the orchestra played Glazunov’s Scènes de ballet.
QSO violinists (and conductor Jessica Gethin) surprised van Gend after his brilliant performance with a display of score cards (surpassing ten of course!) and words of encouragement, sharing in the excitement of this noteworthy career achievement, a moment of true team spirit and camaraderie.
Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Music on Sundays, Gold Coast and Toowoomba Concerts. We trust that this concert provided an opportunity to appreciate the incredible virtuosity and talent of our musicians.
Photos by Sam Muller Media
“Its moving melancholy moods give showcase moments to the harp, bassoons, clarinets and cellos, but segue to a rousing rhythmic end with a wave of violins and crashing cymbals. A fitting end to an inspirational concert.”
– Beth Keehn,
Stage Whispers
“Spirit of the Violin was precisely the kind of program that rewards an audience willing simply to listen. The concert took the violin through a series of contrasting personalities across ninety minutes of music.”
– Cal Roberts,
Blackhall Range Community News
“It was perfection. You know you’re in the presence of a master when you hear and see playing like that. Totally in awe of Johnny’s musical genius.”
– Audience Member
“The QSO was wonderful and Johnny van Gend was amazing. The performance was exciting and engaging...I was almost on the edge of my seat the whole time.”
– Audience Member
“Johnny was terrific and the orchestra and the conductor were very in control. A special event. I’m so proud of QSO!”
– Audience Member
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