SEEN AND HEARD INTERNATIONAL

SEEN AND HEARD UK CONCERT REVIEW

Prom 37 - Verdi, Dallapiccola, Bruch, Schumann: Sarah Tynan (soprano) James Ehnes (violin) BBC Philharmonic/Gianandrea Noseda, Royal Albert Hall, London 13.8.2010 (CC)

This was the third concert by the BBC Philharmonic in the present Proms season; it was a concert as mixed in performance standard as it was in repertoire. The programming was typically intriguing and began with a dramatic account of Verdi’s Forza del destino Overture. Noseda is Principal Conductor of the Teatro Regio, Turin (since 2007) and his experience in the pit showed through this reading. Noseda realised the importance of a full dynamic range (incredibly evocative pianissimo strings through to imposing, and amazingly together, brass). More, he held the dramatic tension throughout. As a curtain-raiser, it could hardly be bettered.

Dallapiccola’s Partita of 1930-32 was the most intriguing piece on the programme and received its first performance at the Proms. An early work, it is scored for large orchestra and still makes tonal references. The work is cast in four movements (Passacaglia; Burlesca; Recitativo e Fanfara; Naenia B. M. V.). The Passacaglia begins in what might today be referred to as a typically modernist opening gestures: emerging from silence, dark rumblings set in place the passacaglia theme (whose first note is repeated some nine times). The atmosphere is one of a dark calm saturated with beautiful harmonies. Crystalline beauty has its place, too, later, while the climax of this section has unabashedly Romantic tendencies. The Burlesca sounds like a kind of manic Sorcerer’s Apprentice with its frantic contrapuntal writing. The Recitativo e Fanfara includes some gorgeous writing for woodwind as well as a grating, dissonant climax. It is the finale that includes the soprano soloist, singing a setting of a medieval Latin Lullaby of the Blessed Virgin Mary (or B. M. V., standing for Beata Maria Vergine, as she is affectionately known). Sarah Tynan was the radiant soloist, her voice appropriately pure, her diction superb (no problems even at the very back of the hall). Tynan also has the ability float her voice seraphically over Dallapiccola’s tissue-delicate writing. The BBC Philharmonic was on absolutely top form throughout, rising magnificently to the challenge of this demanding piece, while Noseda shaped the performance like a master sculptor. Far and away the highlight of the concert.

Canadian violinist James Ehnes has a large following. On the evidence of his Bruch First Concerto, he is a highly intelligent musician with secure technique who elicits a wonderful, pure sound in the higher reaches of his instrument. The first movement had little Romantic ebb and flow however and Noseda in particular seemed keen on this approach whenever he was sans soloist. The slow movement was nicely reflective but the climax did not reach any significant heights, remaining decidedly earthbound. The fast finale revealed great articulation from Ehnes, but also lacked punch from all concerned. Ehnes responded to the predictably enthusiastic applause with a virtuoso encore, Paganini’s Caprice No. 16.

Finally, Schumann’s magnificent Fourth Symphony. Noseda seemed to take a stance that was decidedly anti-monumentalist, the very antithesis of the Furtwängler approach. The snaking theme of the opening under Noseda was smooth, but inherent drama was underplayed, as were Romantic blossomings. If there was fair drama to the first movement proper, there was also a tendency for the music to sag thanks to lack of long-range thought on Noseda’s part. While one could legitimately revel in the beautiful solo oboe and cello of the slow movement, the solo violin’s contribution (from leader Yuri Torchinsky) was a half-hearted affair and suffered with both weak tone and pitching. Textures in general in the Scherzo were muddled (at least the Trio had charm) and, while the finale started well in its scamperings, ensemble later on was none too tight. The overall, impression, alas, was mediocre. As I say, the Dallapiccola was far and away the highlight.

Colin Clarke

 

Back to Top                                                 Cumulative Index Page