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

The Northern Sinfonia, The Sage Gateshead

5:17pm Saturday 4th February 2012 in Music By Gavin Engelbrecht

The Northern Sinfonia's survey of the Schubert cycle, under the baton of musical director Thomas Zehetmair, continued apace at the Sage Gateshead; its latest concert opening with an exuberant account of Symphony No 5 in B Flat. A work orchestrated for pared down forces, it was ideally suited to the sinfonia's strengths. Zehetmair elicited a refined rendition, with an attention to detail that accentuated the music's luminescent qualities. The exquisite adagio, featuring a touching duet between the strings and woodwinds, was lovingly drawn out. A scampering allegro was followed by a finale that pulsated with energy. It is incredible to think that Schubert was only 19 when he completed this masterpiece. South African-born pianist Kristian Bezuidenhout then took centre stage to performed Mozart's Piano Concerto No 24 in C Minor. It is the grandest in scale of all the composer's concertos, with oboes, clarinets and trumpets adding to its richness. An established exponent of Mozart, Bezuidenhout invested the work with a sense of drama; his cautious entry followed by wonderfully developed themes. Playing with technical skill, he put his own stamp on the work in an eloquent slow movement and equally fiery coda. The evening was wrapped up with a thrilling performance of Schubert's Symphony No 6 in C, Little. Zehetmair and the orchestra have released an acclaimed CD featuring the Sixth on the Avie label (coupled with Gal's First Symphony). But no matter how how good the recording quality or the listener's sound system may be, nothing can quite beat the real thing. Zehetmair's interpretation, with razor-sharp turns of phrase, scintillating shifts in tempi and pulsating undertones, was a tour de force.

The Schubert cycle concludes with the Eighth and Ninth symphonies at 7.30pm on Thursday April 26. Box office 0191-443 4661.