Classical review: Royal Scottish National Orchestra

THE RSNO launched its Aberdeen season with the world premiere of Cecilia McDowall’s Northlight, a cantata celebrating the North-east of Scotland, the culmination of a year-long education project.

ROYAL SCOTTISH NATIONAL ORCHESTRA

MUSIC HALL, ABERDEEN

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This involved school, youth and community choirs throughout Aberdeenshire, many of whom performed the piece alongside the RSNO chorus and orchestra. Set to texts by Alan Spence and Christie Dickason, the music beautifully evoked the elemental nature of the local landscape, including the ever-changing light and distinctive cry of the oystercatcher.

McDowall’s soundworld is warm in tone and has simple melodic lines, which were well-suited to the wide spectrum of abilities in the 128-strong choir. They produced a solid sound, anchored by the gutsy basses and topped by the edgy freshness of the children’s voices. The layout of the choir – strung right across the balcony into the audience – was not ideal, however, and a closer positioning to the orchestra, along with a more energetic approach from conductor Christian Kluxen, would have helped bridge this gap and give the performance more integrity.

The sense of place continued with Stéphane Denève conducting an atmospheric and highly sensual travelogue in Debussy’s Images. His reversal of the last two movements, to end in Iberia instead of France was extremely effective. Nikolai Lugansky received a well-deserved standing ovation for his incisive, eloquent account of Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No 3 in D minor, a performance distinguished by the potent synergy between conductor, soloist and orchestra.