Valses nobles et sentimentales - Ravel

StarIsle - Takemitsu

Songs of the Auvergne (exc) - Canteloube

Symphony No 9 - Shostakovich

It was good to hear the National Symphony Orchestra in such decisive form at the National Concert Hall last Wednesday evening. The Finnish conductor Hannu Koivula's emphatic style of beat and gesture helped produce playing which was strong on precision, balance and command of detail.

There were real dividends in Takemitsu's highly coloured Star-Isle. The twists and turns of ideas and orchestral tone were lovingly sculptured, and Koivula's control of rubato showed thoughtful, sound musicianship.

Nevertheless, some of the music did not make the impact promised. In Ravel's Valses nobles et sentimentales rhythmic energy was too localised to accumulate, to achieve that thrilling, decadent swirl which is this piece's quality.

There were similar, though less-obvious limitations in Shostakovich's Symphony No. 9. The almost-classical, clipped phrasing suited this music. But it was significant that in the last movement energy was produced not through rhythmic tension, but through whipping things along, with almost frenetic consequences.

The most complete performance was of five songs from Canteloube's Songs of the Auvergne. Franzita Whelan (soprano) was the impressive soloist, with a good sound throughout and the right mix of earthy joy and suavity to make the most of these artified folk songs. Koivula and the NSO provided a beautiful backdrop.