Orlando Philharmonic offers triumphant sendoff

On Saturday, April 5, the Orlando Philharmonic, with conductor Christopher Wilkins, performed “Finlandia,” the Symphony No. 2 of Jean Sibelius and the Brahms Violin Concerto with soloist Elmar Oliveira.

“Finlandia” is Jean Sibelius’ most popular and familiar work. Its hymn-like main melody has been borrowed by many academic institutions as an alma mater, and is a melody heard even in churches. The excellent sound of today’s Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra was immediately impressive, and this commentator recognized that Orlando now has an orchestra of which any city would be proud. Wilkins has a clear, decisive beat and gave us a quality performance of moving dignity.

For this reviewer, seeing Elmar Oliveira on stage is like visiting with an old friend, for I have heard him here, in Daytona, in New York and in Europe. Oliveira’s playing is always masterful, and the Brahms is daunting with its multiple stoppings, broken chords, rapid tricky arpeggios and rhythmic variations. This great violinist played all demands with confident ease, total assurance, beauty and riveting virtuosity.

Sibelius’ Second Symphony comprised the last half of the program.

In this very stormy and darkly passionate music, with its quick changes of mood, the Orlando Philharmonic demonstrated accuracy and versatility in all its instrumental sections. Sibelius' stark sounds often gave way to soft lyric moments, traced caressingly by the woodwinds. The first oboe and clarinet stood out forthrightly to good effect. Orchestral balance was uniformly cogent throughout.

Wilkins brought thrilling full sound to the symphony's conclusion and drained every drop of emotion from Sibelius’ musical “victory.” A victory it was! What resulted was a performance of passion that projected exciting emotion.

The Bob Carr audience, on its feet, brought the conductor back from the wings to center stage several times.