Something’s happening
October 27th, 2009There is something really good happening in Manchester. The wonderful BBC Philharmonic! When I enjoyed them at this year’s Proms under Sir Charles Mackerras I thought they were outstanding. Last Saturday, on home soil at the Bridgewater Hall they were simply tremendous. This time under the young Spanish conductor, Pablo Heras-Casado, who was making his debut with the orchestra, they were nothing short of world beating.
The orchestra play with a passion and intensity that makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. In some concerts the music washes over you which is a pleasant enough experience, but with these players you are drawn in and made to feel a part of it. I am not a music critic, so I am not qualified to comment on the finer points of the playing, but so much that is great about classical music is in the emotions and feelings and boy do these guys deliver!
I had not come across Pablo Heras-Casado before but think Dudamel enlarged to twice the size and you will get some idea. He is a huge presence on the stage, immensely watchable with gentle but expressive hands.
Alban Gerhardt’s rendition of Dvorak’s Cello concerto in G minor was beautiful, despite the endpin of his cello taking on a life of its own during a sublime slow movement. It is a credit to him that the music did not suffer one bit as his instrument explored the podium.
What a shame then with all this wonderful music going on the hall was not full. The people of Manchester are missing out. The orchestra will be back at the Bridgewater Hall on 7 November, I urge you to find out for yourselves.
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