SSO closes year with cellist Steven Isserlis and conductor Mario Venzago

British cellist Steven Isserlis is such a favourite with audiences worldwide that any Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) concert featuring him is likely to be sold out.

- Mervin Beng

CONCERT STEVEN ISSERLIS AND MARIO VENZAGO Singapore Symphony Orchestra - Mario Venzago (conductor), Steven Isserlis (cello soloist) Victoria Concert Hall Dec 21 Although Swiss guest conductor Mario Venzago has not appeared as many times with the SSO as Isserlis has, his outings here, including his 2022 Dvorak New World Symphony, have been very highly praised.

It was intriguing that both the cello concerto and the symphony were Singapore premieres, with only Weber's Overture To Der Freischutz (The Marksman) having been performed here previously.

Venzago chose a fairly modest configuration of four double basses, and located the trumpets and trombones to the right, behind the timpanis. This inspired thinking produced superb balance.

Co-principal guest concertmaster David Coucheron led a smaller than usual string section, but with Venzago's sensitive direction and a top-notch horn section, the Weber overture definitely hit the mark.