Having never seen the NDS before, I found myself eagerly anticipating this year’s autumn concert- more so after reading what the orchestra had in store for us for the evening.
Full disclosure, I have a deep love of Shakespeare and was anxious to hear this rendition of Mendelssohn’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. Following a wondrous woodwind introduction to the overture, we found ourselves transported to Athens with the orchestra fervently guiding us through this fairyland, the untamed nature of which the strings captured perfectly. Each sector wholly complimented one another and lead by their conductor Michael Hitchcock we were taken on a journey through this enchanted realm. The interplay between the orchestra in the overture and scherzo carried the pleasingly large audience until the very end.
France was our next stop with Gabriel Faure’s “Masque et Bergamasques”. In keeping with the theatrical theme, the NDS commanded us through Faure’s re-worked masterpiece- and I quite honestly didn’t want it to end. Being largely unfamiliar with this piece I was apprehensive, but I can speak for everyone when I say that we were taken by this performance. From start to finish the orchestra effortlessly and readily carried each of the four movements of this piece. Michael demanded the best of each musician and the best is what he was given- the strings came into their own with the woodwind supporting them all the way, maintaining a firm tempo which ensnared us until the last note was played.
Allowing us a brief interval we were all grateful for the tea (or wine) provided before settling into our last instalment of the evening; Haydn’s symphony No. 104. This piece consisted of 4 movements and after a slow and teasing introduction, the orchestra descended into an organised chaos to exhibit this intense and rhythmic symphony. All instruments thrived during the performance of this piece, each given the opportunity to usurp the others. It was great to see the woodwind section break free of the strings and take precedence at times. Each musician noticeably enjoyed playing this piece and it was a pleasure to watch.
The dynamic of the NDS tonight was captivating and I thoroughly
enjoyed being a part of it.
Lauren Hobbs