AT THIS time of year resolutions abound and in the opening Brighton Philharmonic concert of 2008 on Sunday there was certainly a clear statement of intent from musical director Barry Wordsworth.
Seldom can the much-respected BPO and Royal Ballet maestro have been more in control of the musicians than in a programme featuring Weber's Overture to Euryanthe plus two heavyweight pieces of the concert repertoire, Brahms' Violin concerto and Dvora
k's Symphony No 6, both in D.
The D in this case plainly stood for dominant and it was something much appreciated by the Dome regulars, who also gave a warm and enthusiastic welcome to violin virtuoso Raphael Oleg on his first appearance with the BPO.
The Weber offering provided a rousing start to the programme - and plenty of welcome work for tympanist Graham Reader - before Oleg greatly impressed with his rendition of the Brahms work, which also features prominently the oboe. In this instance the BPO's principal oboe Alun Derbyshire gave a wonderful exhibition of breath control and it was a performance that was generously acknowledged by Oleg as he took the applause at the end.
For me the opening movement is a little too long and distracting but the more recognisable Adagio and Allegro giocoso help redress the balance and there was absolutely no faulting the playing of soloist or orchestra, who appeared to have a sincere mutual respect.
Again the Dvorak Symphony No 6 that filled the second half is not one of my particular favourites but it was joy to watch Wordsworth lead the orchestra impeccably through its four movements.
With a particularly busy January in prospect, the BPO have probably never been in better shape.
This Friday they give a world premiere to composer-in-focus Martin Butler's From the Fairground of Dreams in a concert that also features Gershwin's Piano Concerto in F, played by another Brighton resident Artur Pizarro, and Stravinsky's Petrushka.
This will form part of the Association of British Orchestras' 2008 Conference, which the BPO is hosting.
This will be followed on Sunday January 27 by a concert featuring Schubert's Unfinished Symphony, Tchaikovsky's Symphony No 4 and Gemma Rosefield playing the Saint-Saens Cello Concerto.
There's barely chance to draw breath - not only for Alun Derbyshire!
Chris Francis
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