Proms Chamber Music 5 (13.8.12): Nicola Benedetti

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Monday 13 August
1.00pm – c. 2.00pm
Cadogan Hall

J. S. Bach: Partita No. 2 in D minor for solo violin – Chaconne (13 mins)
Korngold: Die tote Stadt – Marietta’s Song; Pierrot’s Dance Song (arr. Korngold) (11 mins)
Brahms: Piano Trio No. 3 in C minor (30 mins)

Nicola Benedetti violin
Alexei Grynyuk piano
Leonard Elschenbroich cello

One of Britain's most popular young violinists returns for the second of three appearances this season, performing mostly in the company of her regulat chamber music partners. The programme begins with the many-voiced solo of Bach's Chaconne and concludes with Brahms's most dramatic and tightly argied piano trio, No. 3 in C minor, composed in 1886 while on a productive summer holiday in Switzerland. The violinist is joined by Kie-born pianist Alexei Grynyuk and German cellist Leonard Eischenbroich.

[Richard J.]

A very enjoyable concert.

From my seat in the centre of the 4th row (DD) of the Stalls, the volume and richness of tone from Benedetti's Stradivarius in the Bach was amazing (quite a contrast from Nigel Kennedy in the RAH last year, inevitably heard from a much greater distance). I thought it was an excellent performance.

I could have done without the Korngold, which doesn't do anything for me.

I liked the way that Nicola Benedetti, always keen to promote musical education, gave a useful pointer in her interview with Clemency Burton-Hill to the contrast between the warmth of the second subject of the 1st movement of the Brahms trio and the vigorous allegro energico of the opening. Lovely to see three musicians who are obviously great friends revelling in music that they are passionate about. From my seat the piano tended to drown out the violin at times, but maybe that was due to my low position below keyboard level.


[In googling for Nicola Benedetti, I was surprised that the first result referred to the Olympics: "11 Aug - Mens Swimming" etc. It appears that Italy had a (male) athlete called Nicola Benedetti in the Men's Modern Pentathlon. He came 20th.]

[BBMmk2]

Only heard the JSB, A great performanmce iondeed Richard J.

[rodney_h_d]

Only heard the JSB, A great performance indeed Richard J.

Not just great, but "momentous" according to Cl B-H. Well, she was about to interview NB, but this could have been posted on that other thread about R3 presenters...

[rank_and_file]

Not just great, but "momentous" according to Cl B-H. Well, she was about to interview NB, but this could have been posted on that other thread about R3 presenters...

r_h_d

C B-H is yet another of those completely useless gushing presenters. She so infuriated me that I turned off so heard nothing - albeit the book I was reading was engrossing.