BBC Philharmonic were joined by Chief Conductor John Storgards for a spring-inspired programme. It was recorded in May but first broadcast in Concert. The programme started with Frank Bridge's "Enter Spring" commences with a full- throated portrayal of the rich exuberance and majesty of Spring, almost a Russian Spring in its sudden arrival and intensity.The structure's second, contrasting, group is a soft, kaleidoscopic mesh of birdsong highlighting the brilliance of the BBC PO woodwind department.
Orchestra and its Chief Conductor were in exception fettle and the extended tone poem came to a final, glorious processional with a paean of praise as ,,seemingly villagers danced and rang their church bells to Welcome Spring.
Shostakovich's May Day [3rd] Symphony provided a fascinating contrast and counterpoint to Bridge's masterwork. Both works develop from pastoral roots to codas that put people at the heart of the matter. In Soviet Russia, Militarism underpins the holiday celebrations of the Workers in contrast to the innocence of the English pastoral scene. I know the Shostakovich Symphony only from an LP from Haitink's cycle which failed to engage me so that I eventually gave the disc away. Storgard's way with the broad brushstrokes of the score akin to Soviet Realism poster art was convincing and maintained my interest.
The Rite of Spring filled the second half of the concert. The conductor's interpretation was too broad - all colour and big climaxes. Too unsubtle for my palette. 'Finest Musical work of the 20th century? ' Lenny Bernstein may have been right but there's more to be discovered in Igor's score than was revealed in this performance.
Orchestra and its Chief Conductor were in exception fettle and the extended tone poem came to a final, glorious processional with a paean of praise as ,,seemingly villagers danced and rang their church bells to Welcome Spring.
Shostakovich's May Day [3rd] Symphony provided a fascinating contrast and counterpoint to Bridge's masterwork. Both works develop from pastoral roots to codas that put people at the heart of the matter. In Soviet Russia, Militarism underpins the holiday celebrations of the Workers in contrast to the innocence of the English pastoral scene. I know the Shostakovich Symphony only from an LP from Haitink's cycle which failed to engage me so that I eventually gave the disc away. Storgard's way with the broad brushstrokes of the score akin to Soviet Realism poster art was convincing and maintained my interest.
The Rite of Spring filled the second half of the concert. The conductor's interpretation was too broad - all colour and big climaxes. Too unsubtle for my palette. 'Finest Musical work of the 20th century? ' Lenny Bernstein may have been right but there's more to be discovered in Igor's score than was revealed in this performance.