The Northern Sinfonia, The Sage Gateshead (From The Northern Echo)

The Northern Sinfonia, The Sage Gateshead

2:03pm Sunday 12th February 2012 in Entertainment By Gavin Engelbrecht

The sunny strains of Latin American music warmed up a chilly night at The Sage Gateshead, with The Northern Sinfonia showcasing its versatility and the individual talents of its principals. The concert opened with an ensemble of eight cellists, led by Louisa Tuck, presenting a lustrous account of Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos' Bachianus Brasileiris No 1. A work infused with Bach devices, it opened with an engrossing embolada, involving an exchange of quickfire phrases over a dance beat. Tuck drew out achingly exquisite tones in the melodious Preludio, while the richly- textured Fuga was conveyed with vigour. Sinfonia co-leader Kyra Humphreys then stepped up to plate to direct a red-blooded rendition of Argentinian composer Astor Piazzolla's Las Cuatro Estaciones Portenas; translated as Four Seasons of Buenos Aires. The work is a true test of a violinist's mettle, deploying every conceivable effect, including thrilling glissandi. Humphreys rose to the challenge with breathtaking dexterity. Principal flute Juliette Bausor than led a stunning performance of Bach's Orchestral Suite No 2 in B Minor. It is a marathon piece, requiring steely discipline and stamina. Bausor played with poise, precision and penache, driving the rhythmic Badinerie to a scorching conclusion. Osvaldo Golijov's Last Round was written in homage to his friend and compatriot Piazolla, who used to get into fistfights. The work, ranging two string quartets against each other, featured a brilliant exchange of musical blows. The evening was rounded off with Villa-Lobos' Bachianas Brasileiras No 5, featuring soprano Katherine Manley and eight cellos. Manley's glorious voice took flight in this celebration of birdsong. A concert that ranks among the most memorable.