Eric Wyrick and Robert Ingliss dazzle as soloists in Strauss’ Oboe Concerto and Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons
New Jersey Symphony Concertmaster Eric Wyrick and Principal Oboe Robert Ingliss stepped into the spotlight to deliver as soloists in performances of Strauss’ Oboe Concerto and Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons in a program that highlighted the unparalleled power of New Jersey Symphony musicians. James C. Taylor of NJ Advance Media reviewed the Friday performance at NJPAC.
Ingliss’ stamina for lengthy oboe lines and Zhang’s nuanced conducting made Strauss’s literally long-winded score feel immediate and lively. By the end of the concerto, both the audience and orchestra were brimming with admiration of Ingliss’ nearly 40 nonstop minutes of performance across two difficult pieces — and playing the Strauss from memory without a score, to boot ... Wyrick has long been a dependable presence in the first chair for the group. As the de facto conductor and soloist in this piece, his leading of “The Four Seasons” was steady and impressive. The melodies were bold and clear, the tempi and phrasing brisk and bright. More period detail and thrust may be in fashion in early music circles these days, but no one at NJPAC seemed to mind. This was a thoroughly forthright performance..
James C. Taylor of NJ Advance Media
» Read the full review from NJ Advance Media
The Mommy Avenger was also at NJPAC on Friday to give their review of the performance.
... the symphony trimmed down to sixteen musicians to perform a piece that needs no introduction among concert-work aficionados, Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons. Eric Wyrick led the ensemble as soloist; they largely kept pace with his direction. His performance was excellent, enhancing the piece with his interpretation of the dynamic emphasis. His approach broadened the range of the accents in a way that I quite enjoyed.
The Mommy Avenger