Closing Program for MSO scores as unforgettable musical feast
Magnificant is the one word that would describe
last night's concert of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra in Plateau Hall.
[...]
A world
premiere is not always appreciated on first hearing but this year's commissioned
work, a Concerto for Piano and Orchestra by Oskar Morawetz, received an ovation.
It was first on the program and the electric effect it had on the audience is
something to remember. In three movements and played without pause, the soloist,
Anton Kuerti, a Leventritt Prize winner, gave a convincing performance of the
fascinating score. The music provides every opportunity for the soloist to
display his virtuosity while it has expert harmonic construction full of melodic
interest. The orchestra encompasses every aspect of emotional poetry and the
combination of pianist and orchestra showed the truly great gifts of composer
Morawetz.
We can only add that Zubin Mehta brought out
everything in the score, and thus we say without reservation that this is
certainly the best work to win the $1,000 Annual Prize. There were bravos for
Mr. Kuerti. Finally after terrific applause, Dr. Morawetz was presented with the
cheque by L. Raymond Law, on behalf of the Ford Motor Company of Canada, which
donated this year's award. [...] Let us hope that the MSO will keep this work in its
permanent repertoire.
[...]
