Fantastic Berlioz
This was one of Silvestri's party pieces and he used to give us a good working over in rehearsal to get the best out of us. He even used to have a session with the two harpists, prior to commencing work with the full orchestra.
So I listened with joyful anticipation and was certainly not disappointed to hear what was, for me, my favourite work by Hector Berlioz (never did like "Harold in Italy" - but, there again, I never liked my pathetic attempts to learn to play the viola as my second study at the RAM).
Some exciting playing, but that opening discourse between the flute and replied to by a muted horn, slurring down an octave before the beginning of the "March to the Scaffold" did not materialize.
Shame! I used really to enjoy playing that.
No comment on the first half of the concert; except to say that the BBCSO seemed to be on top form throughout the evening.
HS
This was one of Silvestri's party pieces and he used to give us a good working over in rehearsal to get the best out of us. He even used to have a session with the two harpists, prior to commencing work with the full orchestra.
So I listened with joyful anticipation and was certainly not disappointed to hear what was, for me, my favourite work by Hector Berlioz (never did like "Harold in Italy" - but, there again, I never liked my pathetic attempts to learn to play the viola as my second study at the RAM).
Some exciting playing, but that opening discourse between the flute and replied to by a muted horn, slurring down an octave before the beginning of the "March to the Scaffold" did not materialize.
Shame! I used really to enjoy playing that.
No comment on the first half of the concert; except to say that the BBCSO seemed to be on top form throughout the evening.
HS
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