A very good, if not great, performance of the Tippett Triple Concerto, I thought. Whilst evidently well-prepared and carefully balanced, I missed a little urgency, the kind of chaste passion and shaping spirit you'll find in Colin Davis' LSO recording with Kirshbaum/Pauk/Imai. Lovely playing from the Leopold Trio in their farewell performance, but even this seemed a shade reserved, feeling their way. Ultimately the conductor drives these things, and Wigglesworth seemed content to let the music unfold episodically; I think it does benefit from a greater, overarching architectural grip.
One is grateful for any live performances of this masterpiece, but I have to be a little reserved in my reception of this one, beautiful as it was in its gentle way.
Special mention for the horns though, especially their magical singing line in the first interlude. What a gorgeous moment it is!
Henk de Vlieger's Wagnerian Orchestral Adventure based on The Ring is a strange experience if you have known and loved the entire epic journey. A little like having one's memories amplified and played back, a little too loud...
But I was gradually drawn in by fascinating orchestral playing. Seeming, initially to be attempting a HIPS balance, lean, swift and transparent, Wigglesworth then pulled off a great orchestral coup as we entered the Gotterdammerung section, expanding the amplitude and richness of the sound to a powerfully climactic, hall-filling and room-filling sonority. Very exciting! So somewhat against my own expectations the tears flowed as the Valhalla theme built to that great, final hymn of Redemption.
(One's ear was drawn continually to the lower brasses, who found a songful, ruminatively Viennese (or perhaps North German) character).
Remarkable, really!
And a memorable ending to an unusual concert, which lingers in the mind as a study in orchestral colours.
(Heard on HDs-hi)
One is grateful for any live performances of this masterpiece, but I have to be a little reserved in my reception of this one, beautiful as it was in its gentle way.
Special mention for the horns though, especially their magical singing line in the first interlude. What a gorgeous moment it is!
Henk de Vlieger's Wagnerian Orchestral Adventure based on The Ring is a strange experience if you have known and loved the entire epic journey. A little like having one's memories amplified and played back, a little too loud...
But I was gradually drawn in by fascinating orchestral playing. Seeming, initially to be attempting a HIPS balance, lean, swift and transparent, Wigglesworth then pulled off a great orchestral coup as we entered the Gotterdammerung section, expanding the amplitude and richness of the sound to a powerfully climactic, hall-filling and room-filling sonority. Very exciting! So somewhat against my own expectations the tears flowed as the Valhalla theme built to that great, final hymn of Redemption.
(One's ear was drawn continually to the lower brasses, who found a songful, ruminatively Viennese (or perhaps North German) character).
Remarkable, really!
And a memorable ending to an unusual concert, which lingers in the mind as a study in orchestral colours.
(Heard on HDs-hi)
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