SYMPHONY REVIEW
Violinist brings technical mastery to concerto

By Gregory Shepherd
Advertiser Classical Music Critic

The Honolulu Symphony Orchestra periodically lets its individual members shine, a testament to its depth of talent. Advertiser library photo • 2000 Honolulu Symphony Orchestra Featuring Ignace Jang, violin When: 7:30 p.m. today Cost: $15 — $55 Information: 792-2000

This week's program features the fine work of Concertmaster Ignace "Iggy" Jang on the Shostakovich Violin Concerto. His performance Sunday had the audience on its feet for the passion and technical mastery he brought to the difficult piece.

Jang's intense, almost keening tone on the mournful first movement immediately intrigued the ear and had the audience hushed in absorption. The simultaneously sinister and impish second movement called for a brilliance of technique on cascades of sixteenth notes, and here another side of Jang's artistry was in evidence. Shostakovich changes gears again in the poignant Passacaglia movement and Jang changes right along with him, investing the movement with a pathos-laden tone.

With the exception of a few imperfectly shaped harmonic notes at the top of the instrument's range, Jang's performance of the solo cadenza was flawless, especially in the fervor he brought to the section.

The fourth and most challenging movement follows and Jang performed it as if he owned it. Guest conductor Grant Llewellyn was his faithful collaborator on the concerto, and he supported Jang superbly.

Benjamin Britten's "Four Sea Interludes from [the opera] Peter Grimes" followed intermission, and here again Llewellyn crafted a fine balance among the sections of the orchestra.

The short, evocative pieces bring to mind four quite different "moods" of the sea, and the pastels of their orchestration were ably brought out on Sunday.

The composer's "The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra" featured local tenor Guy Merola as narrator. His clear voice and precise diction made every word easy to understand as he guided the listener through one of the most effective pieces ever written specifically for kids.

An often unsung part of the orchestra's mission is the fine work that they do with Island children in introducing them to classical music, and this work is one that they often use in that crucial part of their community service.

William Walton's percussion-heavy and somewhat bombastic "Orb and Sceptre: Coronation March" opened the program.

Gregory Shepherd has been the Advertiser's classical music critic since 1987.