Borodin: Polovtsian Dances
Julian Philips: Far Fantastic Bells: A Poem for Orchestra
Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet Overture
Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No 2 (Soloist: You-Chiung Lin)
"At a time when classical
music is facing up to great challenges of dwindling audiences and the fear of
being hijacked by the cross-over industry led by Classic FM and the Brit awards
it was exciting to see that a capacity audience had turned out for this concert,
given by an amateur orchestra no less!
This concert did indeed contain
highlights of the more popular repertoire but with the inclusion of a new
commission by Julian Philips this was a serious and well balanced programme;
there is hope after all!
The orchestra immediately showed
it meant business with a warm and exciting rendition of the Polovtsian
Dances. With Hofkes shaping the musical lines towards its big ecstatic
climax the individual players added all the virtuosity that this work needs.
Julian Philips counts as
one of the most exciting younger British composers with already an
impressive CV, including BBC Prom commissions and a position as head of
composition at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
In his introduction we heard how Far Fantastic Bells had been commissioned as an “in memoriam” and the overwhelming feeling was indeed that this was emotion through music, something that is a rare treat in the world of modern music.
Developing the piece from a
simple opening by the clarinets, with subtly shifting harmonic structures
Philips builds a whole musical journey from its material, through sweeping
string melodies to big brass climaxes and the spectacular finale part when the
church bells crash in, only to fade away after a final farewell from the
piccolo.
The orchestra did well, only
occasionally struggling with the complex textures and very high string writing,
but never losing that sense of emotional direction.
One could argue almost too much
happened in the ten minutes the piece lasted and I would look forward to hearing
it again.
Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet
Overture made for a perfect companion to finish the first half. Hofkes and
his players excelled in keeping the pace while never losing the intensity, the
sweeping main melody for once not pushed in one's face but bursting out
from the hectic development sections. It was only in a few places where
one was reminded these were in fact not professional players as the performance
was very impressive throughout.
The second half belonged to
Taiwanese pianist You-Chiung Lin. She tackled Rachmaninov’s almost over
popular concerto with a vigour and technical mastery that made it all sound
afresh.
Always closely observing
Rachmaninov’s own performance speeds and proportions of rubati and ritenuti
she still very much built her own individual interpretation, the piano always
sounding warm, even in the loudest passages and creating haunting pianissimo
episodes with great delicacy.
The orchestra responded with an
almost symphonic grandeur, Hofkes making sure that the piano was never drowned
out.
The ending of the slow movement
worked its magic as never before and the slight over-excitement at the very end
only added to the sense of jubilation.
This concert shows that classical music is alive and kicking and I will happily come again to Bristol to be part of it!
Review by 'Cantabile' - for BVD independent music reviews - 8 December 2005
'Cantabile' also writes for the Reading Chronicle
Last updated: 09 December 2005
