Double concerto offers delights to match Fisch’s sublime Second.

Perth Concert Hall
August 22, 2015

The West Australian Symphony Orchestra’s Brahms Festival reached second base last night in very much the same style as the opening concert: superlative sound, tight ensemble and inspired leadership. I won’t go into the numerous current virtues of WASO under Chief Conductor Asher Fisch all over again, save to reiterate that this was world-class playing from a band at the top of its game and conducting of a very special kind.

The South African-born cellist Amanda Forsyth joined her husband Pinchas Zukerman for Brahms’ last orchestral work, the Double Concerto, a showcase for the composer’s favourite cellist and an olive branch for his estranged friend, the great violinist Joachim. It’s a lyrical, unpretentious piece that has sometimes had a rough ride from commentators, but in hands of musicians such as these there should be no such cavils. Tonally, Forsyth’s bronze is a perfect match for Zukerman’s gold, while the nature of their personal relationship spills over in communicative music-making of enormous intimacy. A half smile, a nod – there’s always that little something extra going on between them as they bounce ideas...