The fact that “Sinfonia Christkönig“ has become a top brandname in the concert life of Linz is not only due to the mastership of conductor Eduard Matscheko and his musicians but also to people in the background who contribute essential organisatorial necessities. During the concert Matscheko thanked Hedwig Pfarrhofer, who is about to retire, by appointing her “honorary member“ of the Sinfonia Christkönig. Hedwig Pfarrhofer could not have wished for a more beautiful accompaniment to her appreciation. Choir and Sinfonia Christkönig delighted the audience in the brimful church with wonderful baroque music. The Sinfonia Orchestra started with J. S. Bach’s Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D-major as festive opening. Matscheko structured the famous “Air“, often misused as background music, with delicate arcs of suspense. Three opera arias by Antonio Vivaldi found a convincing performer in alto Valentina Kutzarova.
“Zeffiretti che sussurrate”, an aria with delicate violin solos, sounded delightful. The beautiful echos were supplied by Martha Matscheko (soprano) and Tabea Mitterbauer (soprano). Both of them and Valentina Kutzarova sang the solo parts of Antonio Vivaldi’s ”Gloria” in D-major in wonderful balance with the choir and the orchestra. The sensitive performance conveyed the emotional range of the “Gloria“ – from humility to hope to exultation.
Resumé: An impressive overall performance which wonderfully conveyed the spiritual depth of Baroque music.