Classical review: Scottish Chamber Orchestra

Published on Friday 23 October 2009 22:10

QUEEN'S HALL, EDINBURGH ****

EVERY now and then a member of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra has the opportunity to take centre stage, and principal clarinetist Maximiliano Martin is certainly one of the most talented and popular soloists. His dramatic flamboyance is matched by an impeccable technique and impressive tonal range, qualities well-suited to Weber's Clarinet Concerto No 2 in E flat.

Weber adored the romantic, voice-like qualities of the clarinet and wrote this concerto for the virtuoso of his day, Heinrich Barmann. In the opening movement, the orchestra is merely window-dressing as the clarinet flashes its impressive credentials. Martin produced a gorgeous honeyed tone from the instrument even in the softest passages, which he played with such delicacy it sounded as if the music was underwater. After a soulful slow movement, the dance-inspired Alla Polacca allowed the orchestra a look-in as they joined forces with Martin for a jubilant finale.

Conductor Nicholas McGegan is a dynamo on the podium. His expertise in early music was evident in this crisp reading of Spohr's Symphony No 2 Op 4 with its crackling timpani, swerving rhythms and some inspired writing for bassoon and trumpet.

The fingerprints of Spohr's contemporaries, Beethoven and Mozart, were all over Mendelssohn's Symphony No 1 in C minor Op 11. Written when he was just 15, what the work lacks in sophistication it makes up for in youthful brashness and enthusiasm.