Thursday, September 12, 2024
Konserthuset, Stockholm, Sweden
There are many delights to be found in Franz Berwald’s music, here suggestive of the Norwegian Mountains, and, on a greater level of achievement, the aptly named ‘capricious’ Symphony, which sparkled endearingly under Herbert Blomstedt’s direction; music that leaps and bounds with a generous heart, the central Andante deeply felt, whereas the Finale fizzed along, yet with expressive leeway, played with precision and rhythmic elan, just as Brahms One was realised with commitment and character to match Blomstedt’s eager and involved conducting (expressive hands and face, score typically unopened) for a big-boned, spacious (made the more-so by observing the first-movement repeat), intense, dug into, and lyrically shaped performance, details- and dynamics-conscious, sure of direction and resolution, a Classical approach (the orchestra suitably with antiphonal violins, basses left-positioned), and a Romantic-leaning slow movement graced by superb horn, oboe and violin solos. Following much that was noble, the Symphony’s ultimate coda may have broadened too much, if blazing with triumph, and with it completed a wonderfully collaborative rendition enhanced by first-class sound and picture.
- Franz Berwald Reminiscence of the Norwegian Mountains
- Franz Berwald Symphony in D (Sinfonie capricieuse)
- Johannes Brahms Symphony No.1