From the Press:
28 February 2000
THE MERCURY
In fine form
"The distinguished Polish-born Israeli, Meir Minsky, a conductor of international repute, had no difficulty reaching into the heart of this distinctly British music.
There would, of course, be no problem with the Elgar, for his music reflects much of the 19th century mid-European symphonic school in which Minsky has specialized.
Indeed, this was the finest performance I have heard of the Enigma Variation given by the KZNPO.
Minsky kept the tempi comfortably restrained, with the details of performance and characterization of each variation clearly meaningful. Each section of the orchestra, from the rich string playing and the clarity of the wood winds to the warm, enforced and blended brass, played with concentration and purpose.
Vaughan-Williams's music is particularly expressive of the English temperament and character, with both the Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis and the Oboe Concerto reflecting the lyricism, tranquility and homespun nature of his music.
n the Fantasia, which is effectually scored for two different sized string groups and occasional solo moments, Minsky exploited beautifully the imaginative string textures and the expressive variety of sound, sustaining the lyrical, folk-flavored quality throughout. ...
Benjamin Britten's Four Sea Interludes, a descriptive and virtuoso work for large orchestra, provided a good contrast to the Vaughan-Williams pieces, with its more dissonant idiom, its fascinating cross-rhythms and colorful orchestration. Minsky's meticulous rehearing produced a performance full of character and atmosphere.
This was a concert of consistently fine performances by the KZNPO under the direction of a highly sensitive and perceptive musician."
Barbara Trofimczyk
21 February 2000
THE MERCURY
KWA-ZULU-NATAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA, Durban
| BRAHMS - Piano Concerto no. 2 |
| BRAHMS - Symphony no. 1 |
| Soloist: Sergei EDELMAN |
"Meir Minsky's interpretation of this wonderful score (Symphony no. 1), reflected Brahm's clarity of thought and formal logic, and his rich orchestral textures.
With perfectly chosen tempi and full exploitation of the scope for expressive dynamics, he captured effectively the heroic quality of the music, coaxing some lively and expressive playing from the orchestra."
Barbara Trofimczyk
6 March 2000
THE MERCURY
KWA-ZULU-NATAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA, Durban
Program:
| MUSSORGSKY - "Night on a Bald Mountain" |
| TCHAIKOVSKY - Piano Concerto no. 1 |
| SHOSTAKOVITCH - Symphony no. 5 |
| Soloist: Margarita SCHEVCHENKO |
"Meir Minsky conducting the KZNPO for the third successive week, has been a great success with the orchestra, and Durban has enjoyed his presence on the podium. Mussorgsky's colorful and programmatic Night on a Bald Mountain, and the stirring Symphony No. 5 by Shostakovich, both perfect opportunities for orchestral and conducting virtuosity and display, were wonderfully exciting and musically articulate, the orchestra excelling under Minsky's direction.
It was another superb concert by the KZNPO."
Barbara Trofimczyk
