Britten/Mahler/BBCSCO/Brabbins/21/11/13/19:30hrs

[jayne lee wilson]

Martyn Brabbins is never less than interesting, in all he does, and that's enough to draw me to a Mahler symphony I overdosed on back in the day...some rarer Britten items too... I've a soft spot for the BBCSSO after living with their Magnard set for a few weeks...

Britten Gloriana Suite;Quatre Chansons Francaises (Elizabeth Watts)

Mahler Symphony No.4

[jayne lee wilson]

What a difference it makes when orchestra and conductor so evidently enjoy each other's company! Simply gorgeous orchestral playing in the Britten works tonight - warm, cohesive, brilliant in the Suite - delicate watercolours (Aquarelles!) in the lovely early songs. Elizabeth Watts a willing and sensuous music-partner...

[Paul Campbell]

I enjoyed tonight's concert very much (via r3). Elizabeth's recordings have gone onto my wish list!

[Flosshilde]

A super concert which I enjoyed very much in the hall. Not a duff piece - frequently I go to a concert to hear one item specifically & 'put up' with the rest of the programme, but everything tonight was an attraction. Elizabeth Watts was superb in the Britten songs & the last movement of the Mahler. It's worth noting that she sang both from memory.

[jayne lee wilson]

A chamber-musically lovely Mahler 4, relayed with warmth and intimacy on HDs, which didn't need any chamber musical reduction in forces to make its aptly heavenly effect. From the very opening the violins drew a wonderfully firm, sweet and cohesive melodic line - playing as one - and the lighter string textures, with lower strings placed centrally, emphasised the forwardly-balanced winds with some very colourful and individual solos and outstanding horn playing. Cellos constantly caught the ear with sheer beauty of tone. Throughout this performance not a note was wasted, not a mood or a childhood fantasy missed, not a phrase underplayed. Nor was there any exaggeration or attention-seeking in tempi or dynamics - it all unfolded with a glowing naturalness and spontaneity. In the finale, Elizabeth Watts was a mellow and beautifully blended orchestral voice.

I adored this performance. It was, in its smaller-scale, warmer and more intimate context, quite as outstanding as Dudamel's Philharmonia Mahler 7 last week (and with even better ensemble and soloistic discipline). If you asked me which I would rather hear again, it would be this Brabbins BBCSSO Mahler 4.

I just fancied this concert, had a feeling about it... even after a terribly exhausting week it lifted me, gave me some energy back. I could almost hear players and conductor smiling as the music flowed on. And what a long and telling silence as the heavenly Mahlerian sunset faded, before applause commenced...

Martyn Brabbins is the great, never-quite-sung-enough hero of British orchestral performance. Perhaps that's how it should be; he can probably do his noble work here better than as principal of some glittering, internationally-famous, "great orchestra"...

[Flosshilde]

Agree entirely Jayne - it was a beautiful performance - lots of detail without any loss of over-all cohesiveness.

& talking about chamber-music quality. as the 'coda' (the BBCSSO are in the habit of giving a substantial 'encore' after the main concert) a reduced orchestra played Britten's arrangement of 'Blumine' from Mahler 3, originally done for the then BBC Scottish Orchestra in 1942.

[amateur51]

A super concert which I enjoyed very much in the hall. Not a duff piece - frequently I go to a concert to hear one item specifically & 'put up' with the rest of the programme, but everything tonight was an attraction. Elizabeth Watts was superb in the Britten songs & the last movement of the Mahler. It's worth noting that she sang both from memory.

Thanks for those telling details Flossie; and thanks too to jayne for enthusing me sufficiently to listen to it. I agree entirely

Perhaps we should keep quiet about Brabbins - a local hero to be treasured & nurtured?

[ostuni]

And for those who live where I do, a very local hero! I quite often bump into him at our Saturday Farmers' Market.

[Flosshilde]

Perhaps we should keep quiet about Brabbins - a local hero to be treasured & nurtured?

We might be a bit late; he's worked in Europe & Japan - Chief Conductor of the Nagoya Philharmonic & Principal Guest Conductor of the Royal Flemish Phil., as well as conducting the Royal Cocertgebouw, He's done a fair bit of opera too - La Scala, Bavarian State Opera, Flemish Opera, Lyon, & Deutsche Opera Berlin.

[amateur51]

We might be a bit late; he's worked in Europe & Japan - Chief Conductor of the Nagoya Philharmonic & Principal Guest Conductor of the Royal Flemish Phil., as well as conducting the Royal Cocertgebouw, He's done a fair bit of opera too - La Scala, Bavarian State Opera, Flemish Opera, Lyon, & Deutsche Opera Berlin.

Well hush ma mouth - well done MB!

[Mary Chambers]

Just listening to this on iPlayer. Beautiful performance from Elizabeth Watts of those early Britten songs, composed at the ridiculously early age of fourteen. She really is a superb singer. However, I was astonished to hear from the presenter Jamie MacDougall that the role she most wants to perform is the Countess in The Turn of the Screw. I can only hope (and rather assume) that this was his mistake and not hers!

Going to listen to the rest now....

[Sir Velo]

However, I was astonished to hear from the presenter Jamie MacDougall that the role she most wants to perform is the Countess in The Turn of the Screw. I can only hope (and rather assume) that this was his mistake and not hers!

Going to listen to the rest now....

Another candidate for Radio 3 Presenter Gaffe of the Week. Hey, now there's an idea for a thread! - no shortage of candidates.

[Flosshilde]

Just up your cycle lane, Sir Velo. I'm sure you could come up with lots of examples