February 23rd, 2009
On Saturday 23rd Feb a group of 18 members of Classical Partners (http://www.classicalpartners.co.uk/) enjoyed a truly memorable concert on the South Bank. After a glass or two of wine and a delicious supper at the Archduke we made our way across to the Festival Hall, which was buzzing – in anticipation of the appearance of Gustavo Dudamel to conduct the Philharmonia Orchestra in a performance of Mozart’s Piano Concerto no 17 (with soloist Emmanuel Ax) followed by Mahler’s 5th Symphony.
And the audience were not disappointed. Dudamel, still only 28, conducted the 68-minute long Mahler symphony without score and with such energy and enthusiasm that couldn’t help but put a smile on your face. Except of course during the haunting Adagietto (made famous in the film Death in Venice), played perhaps more slowly than usual but with great feeling by strings and harp. For most of the Mahler it was hard to take one’s eyes off the diminutive figure of Dudamel as he swayed, lunged and bounced around the rostrum. However in no way did this detract from the wonderful playing of the Philharmonia.
Within seconds of the thrilling finale of the Mahler the whole audience had joined in a standing ovation for Dudamel and the Philharmonia, and the genius of Mahler of course!
After such a thrilling concert some of us just had to return to the Archduke for a celebratory drink, where we spotted some of the orchestra – celebrating with their friends and family a job very well done!
Press reviews of the concert have been excellent, eg the Guardian giving it 5 out of 5 and describing it as “an astonishingly vivid and exciting performance” in which “the Philharmonia quite simply played out of their skins for Dudamel”.
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February 4th, 2009
Last Saturday 20 of us went to a concert at the Festival Hall. Here are just some of the comments that were made:
“I’m sorry but I always cry when I hear that”
“It’s not for me it just went round and round”
“What is it about Russian composers that make them produce such passionate music”
“So much better than Tchaikovsky, I can’t stand his music”
The Festival Hall was packed, not a spare seat in the house. Tugan Sokhiev directed the Philharmonia Orchestra through, what was for me, a simply exquisite programme.
Starting off with a short piece by Rimsky-Korsakov that I did not know, the full orchestra swept the hall away to warmer climes with Capriccio espagnol. However this was just the warm up for what was to follow. Nikolai Deidenko then performed Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 2. The fact that he is now a British citizen has not in any way diluted his ability to interpret the music from his birthplace. No British reserve here. The unabashed romanticism of the slow movement was given full rein and followed by the final movement of frivolous joy.
After the interval we were treated to Rachmaninov’s Symphony No. 2. It is too long but the wonderfully lush harmonies of the Adagio mean you can forgive this. Sokhiev drew out to maximum effect the full sentimentality of the piece without crossing that thin line and making it corny. The woodwind all deserve special praise.
People are a constant source of amazement to me. Why do so many insist on rushing out of the hall while the orchestra are taking their bow? If you are so intent on leaving, how can you enjoy the music? One or two may have a train to catch but most just seem to want to get out. Calm down and enjoy the experience I say. I also find it fascinating that people can have such different reactions to the same thing. The ones I feel sorry for are those that have no reaction at all. Thankfully I do not know many of those.
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