We began with Panufnik's dark, concentrated lament commemorating the
1940 Katyn massacre. With wonderfully controlled intensity, the
unrelentingly solemn music built gradually into a forceful and
compelling climax. Superb playing from the BBC Symphony Orchestra,
especially the well-organised strings, produced a convincing
performance of a memorable work.
After this, I found Yo-Yo Ma's account of the Dvorák Cello
Concerto rather disappointing. Playing with a touch so light as to
appear almost hesitant and tentative, Yo-Yo Ma seemed to lose his way
once or twice and at times didn't seem quite in synch with the
orchestra. Only intermittently did his immense talent shine out, most
notably in the second movement, and a stronger, more rugged approach
to the less lyrical solo passages might have served him better.
Tadaaki Otaka and the BBC Symphony Orchestra kept the accompaniment on
track with a solid and dynamic assurance and leader Michael Davis's
solo spots in the last movement were exemplary.
The crowning glory of the concert, however, was without doubt the
deeply satisfying account of Elgar's First Symphony which formed the
second half. The darkly sonorous timbres conjured up by the BBC
Symphony Orchestra filled the huge space of the Albert Hall auditorium
with ravishing textures and thrilling climaxes as the glorious music
ebbed and flowed, with Tadaaki Otaka handling the pacing to
perfection. Towards the end there were particularly telling
contibutions from the low brass which underlined the finale's
resolution. A quite marvellous performance from an orchestra on fine
form and a conductor who clearly understands well the roiling
emotional undercurrents of Elgar's most serious music.
Prom 23
(1998)
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7.30pm
- Tuesday, 4th August,
1998
- Royal Albert Hall