Tasmin Little Performs Elgar's Violin Concerto at The National Concert Hall

national | arts and media | news report Saturday September 29, 2007 11:07 by Sean Crudden - impero sean at impero dot iol dot ie Jenkinstown, Dundalk, Co Louth. 087 9739945

In Gifted Hands

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Edward Elgar the most noted English composer of modern times. It was a privilege to be treated to some of his music last night by Tasmin Little who has the finest pair of musical hands in the world.

Tasmin Little pictured in Singapore in 2006

"So slowly a spell she cast o'er me
As her lovely form moved on its way
I thought of the mother that bore me
And prayed she would love me for ay."

You have probably heard of The Vandals, The Goths, The Huns and The Philistines. Well now you can probably add The Irish.

About 10 years ago I invited two train-drivers to a Progressive Democrats election convention in The Derryhale Hotel in Dundalk. One of them was Leonard Hatrick. The other, whose name I don’t remember, said to me at the conclusion of the meeting, "You are a stone-thrower," and although I did not ask him what he meant it is clear what a stone-thrower means to a train driver. In much the same vein there were coughers in the audience last night in The National Concert Hall who had the same effect as stone-throwers. They created horror when they coughed and fear that the coughs would come again at the most sensitive parts of the music. To my dull ear the coughing, although not abundant, showed cold contempt and disinterest and it was palpably offensive.

The National Symphony Orchestra under conductor Joseph Wolfe opened up smartly with the overture to Don Giovanni. The music was lively and interesting and certainly did not drag or outstay its welcome. In fact it seemed to be over in a flash.

Tasmin Little (violin) joined the orchestra for Elgar’s violin concerto. Her hair was shoulder length, straight, unadorned and slightly layered. Her gown was a magnificent rich green, shoulderless, floor-length creation with a balloon skirt patterned by horizontal folds and gathered slightly with a clasp at the right hip. The bodice was patterned in sparkling gold and around her neck she wore a matching pendant on a slender chain. She stood in open-toed, high-heeled, pale, glittering sandals.

Tasmin Little is a relaxed performer but she has a riveting presence and last night she was extremely well-rehearsed and at the height of her powers. There is something fundamentally pleasing about Tasmin Little and Elgar’s music blended magnificently with her own mature personality. The music flowed out with lovely eloquence and Tasmin cast a spell like a real story-teller or advocate.

For those who are interested the concerto started at 8.13 p.m. and finished a few seconds before 9.01 p.m.

After the interval I hardly heard Sibelius Symphony No 1 even though it was loud. Anyway it finished up well - as it probably should.