The Post wrote:
“Orchestral colour and energy were the through-lines in this high-intensity, high-calibre New Zealand Symphony Orchestra performance under the baton of conductor Gemma New.”
“From the gently luminous opening through to the exhilarating power of the finale, this was a performance of Dionysian intensity.”
“Beginning abruptly, with what the literary world terms in media res—as if in the middle of something—the first movement had the anarchic, car-chase energy of an action film.”
“Kaleidoscopic in its array of tones and moods, the concerto was distinguished overall by its balance and emotional sympathy between solo and orchestral parts.”
“The ending, a blaze of colour, was a celebration of both spirit and art, its massive scale suggestive of the depth and vigour of feeling that can be contained within the small rectangle that is a painting.”
Live Lines wrote:
“After a hiatus of more than three months, a well-constructed programme included a new concerto with a starry international soloist, a well-loved New Zealand work and Ravel’s ever-popular orchestration of Mussorgsky’s Pictures.”
“New and the orchestra performed The Invocation of the Sea with pace and precision; it offered a good work-out for the whole ensemble, especially a large and cohesive percussion section, and the audience loved it.”
“As soloist, Beynon revealed at once both her dazzling facility and a lovely big clear flute sound in nice exchanges between soloist and orchestra.”
“Pictures at an Exhibition was a great choice for this programme, showing off the wonderful soloists within the NZSO, some remarkable brass and wind playing, and also New’s exceptional skills on the podium. She brought terrific variety to the work and a greater emotional depth and darkness than we sometimes hear.”
“This performance had well-chosen tempi, revealing the work’s great poignancy, and allowing us to appreciate the colours Ravel has added to Mussorgsky’s music. New achieved a powerful legato in the melodic lines and an intense continuity in the textures, building to shattering emotional climaxes.”
“New handled transitions expertly, and her timing was impeccable, achieving maximum impact, drama and grandeur.”
Regional News – Eyes on Wellington wrote:
“If Beynon’s technical mastery of her instrument was on fire in the fast movements, it was her exquisite clean and clear tone and sensitive expression that shone in the very beautiful slow dances.”
“Beynon’s performance was a masterclass in the range of sound and sentiment this virtuoso can draw from her instrument.”
“Under Gemma New’s direction, the orchestra produced a highly colourful sound, rich in variety, tone, mood, and texture. The orchestration and interpretation, with the connecting promenade theme, created a wholeness to the experience, easily visualised even without knowing the detail of each picture. The finale was colossal, music and paintings surrounding the audience in a mass of sound and vision and intensity. This is an exhibition you would want to experience.”
