Vasily Petrenko was again conducting the work with the Royal
Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in a concert that included Tasmin Little
playing the Delius’ Violin Concerto and a performance of Shostakovich’s Tenth
Symphony.
At around 25 minutes this is one of Max’s shorter symphonies
yet it proved to be a powerful work. From the richly striking opening with timpani
rolls and brass dominating, as the work developed there were occasional quiet
passages seemingly trying to fight against the orchestral outbursts.
After an upward soaring melody, a brass sextet intervened
with a theme that was lighter though apparently ironic in nature. This was
brushed aside by swirling strings, woodwind and percussion yet the ironic theme
managed to return, seemingly revealing the absurdity of the world.
After a number of struggles between the brass and the rest
of the orchestra the music subsides into a quietly mysterious section dominated
by the low strings. Woodwind continue this theme leading to a flute solo. The
full orchestra returns with momentary interventions of a quiet brass chorale
before a lonely trumpet solo is heard against a hushed orchestra. If the
earlier ironic brass passages did not clearly show the feelings being expressed,
then this solo with military overtones does. This must be reflecting Max’s
feelings concerning his country’s interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The brass sextet enters again before birdlike calls on the
woodwind and sonorous string passages lead to more brass but this time
plaintive in nature. There are strange shifting harmonies before the orchestra
tries to rise to a climax. The work ends quietly with timpani against the low
strings.
These are only my first impressions of a work that certainly
has great depth and expression. I look forward to hearing the work again which,
thanks to BBC iPlayer, I can. www.bbc.co.uk/proms/whats-on/2012/august-23/14282
Tasmin Little’s tone immediately brought a poignantly Delian
feel to her performance of the Violin Concerto. The work was allowed to unfold
naturally with many orchestral details becoming clear. Vasily Petrenko provided
a surprisingly idiomatic orchestral sound and was not afraid to point up
occasional little flourishes in the orchestra. A perfectly judged coda with the
music quietly dying away ended a fine performance of this most elusive of
concertos.
Ending this concert with Shostakovich’s Tenth Symphony was
entirely appropriate given the use of irony that this composer also used to
express his feelings on his own country’s politics.
Vasily Petrenko has already recorded and performed many of
Shostakovich’s symphonies including a much praised recording of the Tenth, so
expectations were high on this occasion. What is impressive about Petrenko is
the way in which he keeps the long line and flow of the music, such as where
the first movement builds to its central climax. This was perfectly judged with
a beautifully austere coda.
The second movement Allegro showed the Royal Liverpool
Philharmonic in fine form where the conductor did not allow the music to become
too manic. The third movement was riven with an overwhelming emotional
intensity and the fourth had an icily cold and intense emotion that was almost
overwhelmingly bleak.
Warmth finally started to appear in the final movement but
Petrenko kept the pace, such that it had the feel of a tentative, even false,
warmth. The tautness of the playing in the coda was impressive bringing to an
end a performance of great depth and insight.
See other Prom reviews:
See other Prom reviews:
Last Night of the Proms 2012 with Nicola Benedetti, Joseph
Calleja and Team GB’s Olympic medallists
A Memorable Concert from Bernard Haitink and the Vienna
Philharmonic at the BBC Proms
Subtle Saint-Saëns from Benjamin Grosvenor at the Proms
A Battlefield at the Proms
Handel’s Water Music and Fireworks Music as they should be
played
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