WASO captures the light and the dark side of post-Romantic Russian masterworks.

Perth Concert Hall

May 3, 2014

WASO’s Romantic Rachmaninov program divided its focus between two unique voices of Russian classical music in the 45-year period between 1892 and 1937. The first half of the program was dedicated to the work of Rachmaninov, with two works that captured the composer’s beautifully lyrical and melodious approach to composition and orchestration, a decidedly romantic vision of Russian composition. The second half of the program consisted of Shostakovich’s Symphony No 5, a more sombre work, the product of the oppressive Soviet government in force in 1937.

The orchestra opened with Rachamninov’s Caprice Bohémien. An appropriately light start to the evening, the work showcased Rachmaninov’s orchestral talents in a small, easily digestible package of eighteen minutes. Conductor Alexander Lazarev accentuated the sharp shifts from dark to light through out the work in a delightfully theatrical manner, turning at one point to playfully share a nod with the audience.

Caprice Bohémien is one of Rachmaninov’s formative pieces, having been composed prior to his notorious Symphony No 1, and as such the work feels like something of an exercise. Everything is ordered and evolves quite conventionally; certainly...