REVIEW: Romantic classics with Brighton Philharmonic
IF MUSIC be the food of love, then what better way to celebrate Valentine's Day than attending a live music concert?
The Great Bard certainly knew a thing or two but what he did not know was that one of the best places to put that into action on Sunday (February 14) was at the Brighton Dome, where Barry Wordsworth led the Brighton Philharmonic through a truly memorable concert of unashamedly romantic music.
Not that the BPO didn't have plenty of rivals on the day, for there were concerts a plenty lined up in Sussex.
But despite all that no doubt worthy competition, the BPO must have been delighted to have an almost capacity audience.
There were very few empty seats in auditorium and when they start selling places on the benches behind the stage, you know for sure they have struck on something popular.
There were highlights galore and the audience must have gone away wringing their hands after the ovations went on unabated.
The mesmerising fingers of Ukrainian pianist Alexei Grynyuk gave an unforgettable rendering of Rachmaninov's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini that even the composer himself would surely have appreciated and the strong Russian connection was further underlined by Tchaikovsky's Fantasy Overture Romeo and Juliet and Khachaturian's Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia, the latter now so inextricably linked with the sea after being chosen as the theme tune to The Onedin Line.
Yet despite such an all-star cast, it was probably an American who took home the star prize as the Dome faithful-plus were simply blown away by a truly glorious performance of Bernstein's Symphonic Dances from West Side Story.
That made Shakespeare almost as well represented as the Russians at a concert that must surely have left everyone present besotted and love struck.
It gave real meaning to the Big Band sound as around 70 classically trained musicians made it really swing as they were expertly guided by leader of gang, Wordsworth.
Forget the warring Montagues and the Capulets or the Jets and the Sharks, there was the most marvellous rapport between conductor and orchestra playing an outstandingly memorable piece in which percussion was king.
Needless to say, local florists had a real run on red roses - it was good to see Wordsworth for once included as a bouquet recipient - and while he and the wonderfully gifted piano virtuoso were fully deserving, each and every one of the orchestra would have merited such a gift.
The BPO and their Musical Director will be back at the Dome for their penultimate concert of the season on Sunday, March 7 although this time it will be the string orchestra taking centre stage by paying homage to their beginnings.
They also pay tribute to the anniversary of Barber (playing his Adagio) and to local composer Frank Bridge (Three English Folk Songs) as they celebrate the classics of the string repertoire with the inclusion of Bach (Brandenburg No 6) and Tchaikovsky (Serenade for Strings).
It will be a hard act to follow but what about going along with a red rose to throw on the stage to show your approval when no doubt the BPO pull it off in glorious fashion.
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Monday 28 May 2012
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