KVT – A Classical Cycle with a big new beat

I love sharing the intimate auditorium at L’Espace with members of the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra. After enjoying their performances over the years you start to consider them intimate friends (from a visual point of view) and recognize things like new hair styles and colors etc (the first violin player who sported a lustrous thick black, slicked-back mane last week looks dashing and even younger with his new cut).

Last week it was great to see/hear orchestra principal Le Hoang Lan leading and soloing J S Bach’s Concerto for Violin 1042. The first movement began a bit raggedy but soon picked up momentum and the adagio was very persuasive. The final allegro brought the chamber group together and finished the piece in fine style.

When you are addicted to internet classical radio the Bach 1042 is another familiar friend but it’s usually the allegro movements that are featured and the hauntingly beautiful adagio is rarely heard. This is also true of Hayden’s Cello Concerto No 2 and the adagio was a special treat under conductor Honna’s direction and in the extremely capable soloist fingers of Cellist Tran Thi Mo.

Ms Mo is always a delight to hear and when the last, short rondo movement was being played, the whole auditorium was with her. It was one of those moments that make live classical music a real treat.

Mozart’s ‘Prague’ Symphony 38 won me over when the orchestra willingly pulled me along with it into the second andante movement. And who can ever resist the presto finale with the winds combining so gorgeously with the strings… and the flute flying through and above.

Can’t wait for the next Classic Cycle at L’Espace with the orchestra’s new addition to the Tympani section giving an extra special authentic beat to Baroque composers.

The French have done it yet again… great music… great venue and 50,000VND top price (half for students)… I’m considering changing nationality at this rate.