Balmain Sinfonia were marvellously expressive, bringing a fantastical tale to life

Balmain Sinfonia | Enigmas and Fairytales

September 21, 2024 | Leichhardt Town Hall

Monica Buckland, conductor

I must admit that I am a friend of Balmain Sinfonia and I assist with their front-of house on concert day. However, when classikON said their reviewer couldn’t attend the concert at the last minute, I thought I’d step in to tell you all about the show.

The Balmain Sinfonia’s latest offering, Enigmas and Fairytales, proved to be a delightful journey through evocative storytelling and musical enigma, under the baton of Conductor and Musical Director, Monica Buckland. The programme brought together four distinct yet thematically linked works: Dvořák’s The Golden Spinning Wheel, Bottesini’s Double Bass Concerto No. 2, Christopher Sainsbury’s An Australian Concert Overture and Elgar’s favourite, the Enigma Variations.

The concert opened with The Golden Spinning Wheel, a richly textured symphonic poem based on a sometimes gruesome Czech fairytale. Monica kicked off the show with a few short excerpts, designed to train the audience’s ear and enable them to keep up with the story. I love it when Monica chats to the audience about the music, it just makes me feel so much more connected to the pieces. She led the orchestra with energy and a deep sense of narrative, allowing Dvořák’s intricate orchestration to shine. The score’s sweeping melodies and dramatic shifts were handled with precision, and the Sinfonia’s players were marvellously expressive, bringing the fantastical tale to life. From the exciting opening to the triumphant close, Buckland’s interpretation highlighted both the drama and whimsy in Dvořák’s storytelling.

Following the Dvořák, the audience was treated to Bottesini’s Double Bass Concerto No. 2, featuring a virtuosic solo performance that brought a different kind of magic to the evening. Sebastian Pini’s technique was astounding, navigating the demanding passages with agility and finesse. I really had no idea the double bass could be so tuneful and melodic! The lush, lyrical middle section was a standout, showcasing the bass’s unexpected range and warmth, while Buckland and the orchestra provided sensitive accompaniment throughout.

The second half started with Chris Sainsbury’s An Australian Concert Overture. Again, Monica handily introduced the piece to us and it was great to learn why she had decided to program this piece at the heart of the concert. Once the delightfully bouncy overture was finished, it was wonderful to see the composer himself come to the front of the stage to receive his well-earned applause.

The concert concluded with Elgar’s beloved Enigma Variations, a work that never fails to captivate. Under Buckland’s direction, the Sinfonia delivered a performance full of colour, nuance, and emotion. Each variation was distinctly characterised, from the playful “Dorabella” to the grandeur of “Nimrod,” which Buckland paced with great care, allowing its emotional depth to unfold naturally.

Overall, Enigmas and Fairytales was a memorable evening, with Buckland’s skilled leadership drawing out the best in the Balmain Sinfonia. It was a beautifully balanced program that left the audience both enchanted and moved – and their applause at the end was long and enthusiastic!

They play again on Saturday 14 December at Balmain Town Hall, with a program called ‘Celtic Fantasy’ – I really hope to see you there!

Guest reviewer – Rebecca Newnham: Audience member Rebecca Newnham is a long-time friend of the orchestra. Not having grown up in the classical/orchestra world she’s been ‘forced’ into it by being married to a musician! She works as a project manager and part-time yoga teacher and now loves attending orchestral music concerts, although claims no expertise in the topic!