Completion and (from Feb 16) re-publish

Saturday, February 15, 2025

Boston Symphony Hall, 301 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 

Following concerts with the San Francisco Symphony, and with imminent New York Philharmonic dates, Herbert Blomstedt has this week been with the Boston Symphony. For the third time of asking in as many days for this programme, and with snow falling (outside), Blomstedt – who, as a Bernstein-sponsored student, came to Tanglewood seventy-two years ago, which included his first live experience of the BSO – opened with Schubert Six (a Boston rarity, Colin Davis last entrusted with it, in the early-eighties), the conductor conjuring an imperious introduction leading to a sprightly Allegro, played deftly, woodwinds delightful, the coda accelerated into with youthful panache, then a slow movement of elegance and elan, followed by a vigorous Scherzo and expressively underlined Trio, ending with (for me) a too fleet Finale, running not walking, if no doubting the poise of the playing, the rhythmic grace, the Rossinian wit, and the cumulative high spirits.

Brahms’s music is also central to Blomstedt’s conducting, and he’s not one to renege on that, or display boredom with scores he has championed for seven decades. Thus, with the Boston Symphony in prime form, this Brahms One trod the boards anew – powerful, passionate, flexible, dynamic, the first-movement repeat observed (ditto in the Schubert), liberated woodwinds (personality-plus oboes), rapt beauty (a particularly expansive slow movement, fine horn and violin solos, timpani underpinning)…

BUT

…I did start the Finale, but annoyingly, nodded off a few minutes in, this being 3 a.m. Sunday in London. However, CRB offers an on-demand service, so I look forward to the rest of the concert and finishing this review, soon!!!…

AND NOW

…On-demand has come good, so Brahms’s intermezzo-like third movement is a good place to re-start, lyrically lovely under Blomstedt’s direction. As for the Finale, bit-by-bit more-and-more tumultuous, woodwinds highlighted – Blomstedt’s latched on to those oboes. The tempo may be stately but, my god, resolution is clearly on the cards, and when it arrives, akin to the last few feet of climbing a mountain, it’s tremendously releasing and stimulating, BSO and Blomstedt raising the roof. Glad to have now heard the whole thing.

Local reviews…

Blomstedt brings insight, relaxed lyricism to Brahms and Schubert with BSO

BSO, Blomstedt Bring Brahmsian Balm

Recent Blomstedt on the Column (where there is much regarding him)…

Herbert Blomstedt, currently in Prague, photographed with two well-known pianists.

Choir & Symphony Orchestra of Bavarian Radio – Herbert Blomstedt conducts Stravinsky & Mendelssohn. Live on BR-Klassik Radio.

Column Post #8,400: Berliner Philharmoniker – Herbert Blomstedt conducts Bruckner’s Ninth Symphony, with Leif Ove Andsnes playing Mozart’s D-minor Piano Concerto (No.20/K466). Live Digital Concert Hall webcast.