Classical review: Hebrides Ensemble, The Arches, Glasgow

Published on Wednesday 1 June 2011 22:19

****

Glasgow's subterranean arts space, The Arches, had its pros and cons as the space for this exciting project by the Hebrides Ensemble, which ended with an enthralling performance of Gyorgy Kurtag's hauntingly intense Kafka Fragmente, performed by soprano Elizabeth Watts and violinist Alexander Janiczek in a simply staged version directed by Rene Zisterer.

With trains rattling regularly above us, and other noise from the air conditioning and neighbouring parts of the primitive labyrinthine complex, the evening had its challenges. Even the super clarity of the acoustics had an edge that over-amplified the singer's most heated explosions.

But what a piece. The nuclear precision of Kurtag's music, a visceral illumination of Kafka's piercing aphorisms, was powerfully expressed in this high-powered performance, almost exclusively a result of the sharp-edged partnership between the two performers. Watts' uninterrupted presence was magnetic; Janiczek's playing was dazzlingly brilliant; and the blackened set instilled in us an open-minded, uncluttered curiosity.

The question of how to complement that work was handled with equal deftness. In a short opening half, Hebrides artistic director (and cellist) William Conway held court over two thought-provoking transcriptions: one beautifully understated (along with pianist Philip Moore) of Schumann's song, Auf einer Burg, from Liederkreis; and then Till Korber's piano trio version (now with Janiczek on violin) of Janacek's first string quartet The Kreutzer Sonata.

The latter was revelatory. The presence of the piano in the texture drew out a whole new emotive dimension from the familiar homogeneity of the original all-string version.