SEEN AND HEARD INTERNATIONAL

Prom 58, Ravel, Bartók and Tchaikovsky: New York Philharmonic, Lorin Maazel (conductor) BBC Proms, Royal Albert Hall, London 29.8.2008 (CR)


The second of two concerts by the New York Philharmonic, conducted by Lorin Maazel, opened with a performance of Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite. This is a fascinating work, which demonstrates Ravel’s affection for intoxicating exotic harmonies and unusual orchestration. The performance had the intimacy of chamber music and featured some excellent solo playing, particularly from principal flute, Robert Langevin.

Bartók’s Suite from the Miraculous Mandarin is a twentieth century classic, and featured some stunning playing from the wind and brass, with well balanced sounds within the sections. The brass and percussion had a tendency to dominate the overall sound, and the strings seemed a little muddy at times, although this may well have been due to my position in the hall rather than any judgement call from the orchestra or conductor. This was a good performance, but lacklustre; almost, but not quite, reaching the heights of excitement a piece such as this is capable of. The tempos were slow and the overall direction seemed to falter on more than one occasion.

Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony, however, was given a sparkling performance in the hands of Maazel. A well balanced sound and richly Romantic textures showed off the orchestra at its best, Maazel’s interpretation of this work more successful than those of other works heard recently. There was a real energy in the performance, direction finally restored throughout the work and a particularly dazzling last two movements. I felt that eventually here was a world-class orchestra sounding as it should, giving a performance that was both memorable and well executed.

Three European encores followed (perhaps a reference to the orchestra’s European tour which takes in nine countries over the next few weeks), ranging from a Slavonic Dance by Dvorak and a Brahms Hungarian Dance to Bizet’s Farandole from L’Arlesienne Suite, performed with vigour and extremes of tempo.

Carla Rees


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