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United Kingdom Bacewicz, Mozart, Elgar, Dvořák: Julie Price (bassoon), BBC Symphony Orchestra / Sakari Oramo (conductor). Barbican Hall, London, 3.2.2023. (JR)
Grażyna Bacewicz – Overture
Mozart – Bassoon Concerto in B-flat main, K191
Elgar – Romance for Bassoon and Orchestra, Op.62
Dvořák – Symphony No.8, Op.88
A joyful overture, a Mozart concerto, a brief Elgar Romance and a Dvořák symphony made for a different and considerate live performance programme, that includes the bassoon within the two works both aspect of the interval.
The overture was by Polish composer Grażyna Bacewicz, not a reputation I knew. Sakari Oramo is at present championing her work (her Fourth Symphony will likely be carried out on February tenth). Bacewicz (1909-1969) composed this piece within the battle years, which makes its exuberance all of the extra stunning. Bacewicz composed over 200 works together with 4 symphonies and 7 violin concertos (Bacewicz was an achieved violinist and chief of the Polish Radio Orchestra from 1936 to 1938). The string writing is frenzied and virtuosic, fanfares for the brass are strident. Oramo bounded via the piece with clear pleasure: Walton and Nielsen sprang to thoughts. If I’ve a doubt, then it’s that I discovered a person voice laborious to discern. Drums launched a militaristic word, scampering strings and shrill woodwind echoed the troubles of battle. However, total, it was a joyful piece and a worthy live performance opener and introduction to Bacewicz’s oeuvre.
Mozart’s Bassoon Concerto stems from 1774, when he was 18, making this concerto certainly one of his much less mature works. The bassoon was an uncommon instrument for a concerto, Mozart wrote this on fee. The soloist for this BBC Symphony Orchestra live performance was their very personal Principal, Julie Price, who can also be Principal Bassoon of the English Chamber Orchestra and the Academy of St Martin within the Fields. Price was for 23 years Professor on the Royal College of Music, and now Visiting Professor on the Royal Academy of Music. Price visibly loved being within the limelight, frontstage; she beamed all through, partaking with members of her orchestra and the viewers, who gauging from the wild roars of appreciation on the shut of the work, will need to have included lots of her present and former college students. The applause was properly deserved – Price confirmed flawless method and mastery of this characterful instrument, excellent dynamic management, show of the instrument’s colors and clever phrasing.
Elgar was a bassoon participant, maybe not in Julie Price’s class. He composed his very quick Romance for a buddy who was Principal Bassoon within the London Symphony Orchestra; he portrays the instrument as a singer slightly than a comic. The work solely lasts seven minutes. Stephen Johnson within the programme word describes the work as a ‘miniature masterpiece’; I might not be so effusive. It is pleasant, melancholic and exhibits off the vary of the instrument to perfection. Once once more, Price displayed her virtuosity.
Dvořák’s Eighth Symphony is much less usually performed than the ‘New World’ and deserves at the least equal publicity, as it’s a wonderful work. Oramo and the BBC SO gave it a wonderful efficiency. The orchestra’s principals did the work proud, I spotlight the trombones led by Helen Vollam, the horns with their prospers led by Martin Owen, oboe of Alison Teale and flutist Michael Cox. The orchestra as an entire made a heat sound, with entries crisp; I simply hankered for a violin sound with extra bloom. Oramo had a constant, coherent view of the work, with moderately quick speeds. I final heard this work below Gianandrea Noseda conducting the Philharmonia Zurich; Noseda’s tempos had been extra thrilling and he injected extra white warmth into the jagged chords; Oramo’s view was extra benevolent however equally persuasive.
John Rhodes