Borodin, Khatchaturian and Brahms: Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, cond. Tugan Sokhiev, soloist Vadim Gluzman – violin , Portsmouth Guildhall, 20.04.2007 (JW)

 

Borodin - 'In the Steppes of Central Asia',
Khachaturian - Violin Concerto
Brahms - Symphony No1

 

This concert   - a repeat of the programme played at the Lighthouse, Poole on Wednesday – got off to an exciting start. There was a sense of real magic in Borodin's work, and the orchestra's dapper and charming guest conductor Tugan Sokhiev produced a strong and dignified sound from them. The woodwind section deserve particular mention Both the musicianship and the programming of the evening went beyond what would expect in a  provincial series.

This was borne out again with Katchaturian's concerto – an adventurous choice perhaps -  in which both soloist and conductor were Russian. This lengthy and challenging work was performed with aplomb: its opening was exuberant with a big sound coming from the orchestra. It then quietened to a more lyrical and spring-like mood for a while, before another sudden change of pace, this time to a highly virtuostic unaccompanied section for the soloist. The opening is echoed - and then the orchestra rejoins the soloist to bring the first movement to a triumphal finish.

The second movement has a long, slow opening featuring cellos, horns and bassoons. After the soloists prominent section, with muted accompaniment by low strings. The movement rounds out to return to a lyrical mood with flute ornamentation. In contrast, the third movement has a fanfare-like opening and is rapid and forceful. Throughout this sustained challenge for the performers, the playing was skillful and exciting. The soloist's style was well suited to the work, and an appreciative audience received this excellent performance with strong and deserved applause.

After the interval, the demands of the first half initially seemed to have taken their toll somewhat. Brahms' First symphony, whilst very creditable, did not have quite the same exceptional sparkle as the earlier works. However, the players seemed to recover quickly and the later two movements came over more readily and smoothly than the first two. Again Sokhiev drew out a rich and full sound, with strong dynamic contrasts. The fourth movement was particularly commendable, with an excellent tutti repetition of the work's first theme as the movement prepared draw to a powerful climax.

The enthusiastic and diverse audience filled the Guildhall with appreciative and lengthy applause once again. An exciting concert with above average programming and playing proved (if proof were still needed) that BSO is a high calibre regional orchestra which continues to hold a strong local audience in their regular venues.

 

Julie Williams