If Aberdeen City Orchestra’s performance at the Music Hall is anything to go by, the city’s classical music scene is thriving. We were treated to 90 minutes of Grieg, Wagner, Beethoven and Sibelius by some of the north-east’s best musicians, and a guest star with the talent to make a serious name for herself. Although only one of six pieces played on the night, the title for the evening’s entertainment was given to Grieg’s Piano Concerto.
Most of us are aware now of Grieg’s . And most of us probably associate the great Norwegian with his incidental music to Henrik Ibsen’s play Peer Gynt. But the Piano Concerto is up there with the very best works by – in my opinion – one of the more underrated composers.
It’s an exquisite piece, from the glorious opening, through sweeping melodies and folkloric touches, to the suitably climactic finale. Appearance of international performer a coup for Aberdeen City Orchestra And it’s a 30-minute spectacle to which guest pianist, Grieg’s fellow Norwegian , did more than justice, in front of an appreciative crowd. An international prize-winning product of the Royal College of Music in London, Bergen-based Voltersvik is spending much of this year touring the US.
Having her on the Steinway was a real coup for , the Music Hall, and the city. And in an unadvertised bonus, she also performed a short Sibelius piece. Just in case anyone was in any doubt of her talent.
We weren’t. There followed Beethoven’s ‘Die Wiehe des .
