Photo, Andy Paradise
Thursday, August 24, 2023
Royal Albert Hall, London
Christian Tetzlaff proved himself a poised and passionate advocate of Elgar’s Violin Concerto (for Fritz Kreisler) in wonderful partnership with Sakari Oramo, already established as a distinguished Elgarian (recordings on BIS), here with an introductory tutti both expansive and potent. Tetzlaff’s virtuosity was unstinting as well as music-serving, his confiding playing especially telling with pared-down dynamics, the first movement ebbing and flowing as a fantasia, the slow one soulful if spontaneous, coming to contented rest, and the Finale (launched attacca, otherwise that clique of clappers would once again have intruded insensitively) athletic and fiery, also yearning, with the ‘accompanied cadenza’ a few minutes of deeply-felt if restless reflection, the Concerto’s conclusion a surge of speed and vivid communication into the majestic ending. Tetzlaff’s encore was J. S. Bach, the Andante from the A-minor Sonata, BWV1003, very expressive and nicely of the moment.
Opening the concert, its title owing to Philip Larkin, Master of the King’s Music Judith Weir’s Begin Afresh (BBC commission: world premiere) reflects the composer’s arboreal interests and might be subtitled ‘a calendar of trees’, music that is lyrical, energetic and optimistic, strikingly scored too, not least for piano and brass twelve minutes in (of about sixteen) leading to radiance. Very fine piece, to which Schumann’s ‘Spring’ Symphony (No.1) was the ideal complement, given a joyous outing by Oramo who ensured that the much-criticised orchestration was clear and well-balanced, the rhythms buoyant, details sparkling, Oramo’s personal touches illuminating, the music generous and beguiling in response, song and dance in symphonic form, with repeats observed in the outer movements. This last of Sakari Oramo’s four-concert Proms 2023 appearances was once-again notable.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001pn4c
https://www.colinscolumn.com/bbc-proms-2023-prom-45-bbc-symphony-orchestra-sakari-oramo-conducts-mahlers-third-symphony-live-on-bbc-radio-3/
https://www.colinscolumn.com/bbc-proms-2023-prom-40-bbc-symphony-orchestra-sakari-oramo-conducts-dora-pejacevics-symphony-in-f-sharp-minor-with-martin-helmchen-playing-brahmss-second-piano-concerto-live-on-bbc-radio-3/
https://www.colinscolumn.com/bbc-proms-2023-prom-35-bbc-symphony-orchestra-sakari-oramo-conducts-mahler-seven-and-leila-josefowicz-plays-bergs-violin-concerto-live-on-bbc-radio-3/
WTF is wrong with radio 3 with their endless proms trailers battering us into submission, and the irritating tagline about r3 being the home of the proms. Last night Rafferty, then continuity, then Handley were all automatons in giving us the same tired old information. Is Sam Jackson going to do something about this rubbish or is r3 going to continue to sink into the self made mire?
Hear, hear and hear again. Except I – we- don’t want to, R3.
My last outing of the Violin Concerto was hearing the young Vilde Frang at Radio France three months ago.
Last night was a different affair. More pungent and poetic with striking moments of both quiet repose in the rising notes of the second theme in the first movement and some glorious tutti support from Oramo and his fine players on top form.
Simply a wonderful evening in every respect. New music of real personality from Dame Judith and a virile spirit behind the often criticised music in Schumann’s loving Spring Symphony.
younger than us; but she is now 37…..
Totally agree with Colin and Mr Clark; from a seat above the second violins (only £9) the sound travelled beautifully up to us even in the quitest solos (as it did last year with KUUISTO’S ravishingly pppppp moments in the LARK. (VW not Lennie). Oramo is perhaps the finest living Elgarian (very close with Sir Mark and Andrew Manze….RLPO Elgar 1 will be a great event next April). At the concert you can avoid the radio announcements!