I had my Total Hip Replacement surgery on March 4. I was very anxious for several days beforehand. Some much-needed succour came on Feb 27, a Radio 3 concert live from Glasgow, which embraced Bruckner 8 (BBC Scottish SO), a magnificent account led by Donald Runnicles, who also included Dutilleux’s Correspondences (written, I think, for Renée Fleming) and here featuring the voluptuous Carolyn Sampson. It was a great concert. So too on March 4 itself, Runnicles conducting Beethoven’s Missa solemnis (live on Radio 3 from the Barbican; BBC Symphony Chorus & SO). What exquisite timing. I was just out of theatre and in the ward, and armed with a portable radio. Even at low volume the performance of this masterwork was inspiring; a gift from God.
In Praise of Donald Runnicles
