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Birmingham Post
Orchestra of the Swan, Civic Hall, Stratford-upon-Avon
1 November 2006

Shu Wang - Dian premiere
Instrumental sound and colours delight

A huge sense of enjoyment surrounds the activities of Stratford’s Orchestra of the Swan. The musicians obviously love playing for David Curtis, and the conductor himself bounces with enthusiasm, sharing it irrepressibly with the willing audience.

On Wednesday, he presided over a lunchtime open rehearsal, resulting in more tickets sales for the evening concert.

After that concert, during which he delivered charming introductions before each item, he led the first Conversation Club. Where listeners chatted about what they had just heard. This happy knack also extends to a magic touch when commissioning new works, of which the latest, Dian by the young Chinese composer Shu Wang, had its premiere here.

Its title meaning “dot” or “point”, this seamlessly structured piece teems with incident, almost like points of light picking out images in the darkness.

Scored for a minimum of 12 strings, its explores a wide range of instrumental sounds and colours, some exotic, some almost subconscious references to the western tradition the composer has assimilated since her move to this country.

Generously and assiduously prepared, Dian received a well-prepared first performance, and I would dearly love to hear it again.

Christopher Morley