 |
| Scarily good: Valery Gergiev |
LSO, Valery Gergiev
Barbican, 27 November 2011
It is always a pleasure to see Valery Gergiev returning to his roots with an all-Russian programme. This time, he was conducting Sofia Gubaidulina's In tempus praesens (In the present time) and Shostakovich's Symphony No. 10.
Anne-Sophie Mutter looked radiant as she took to the stage for In tempus praesens – Gubaidulina's second violin concerto, dedicated to Mutter. The 30-minute single-movement work presents the audience with an extraordinary sound world: an orchestra devoid of violins (except the soloist) yet enhanced by a harpsichord and a variety of percussion instruments - including a giant gong, which leaves your ears ringing every time it's struck. Mutter showed skill and dexterity, particularly in the cadenza, which was played magnificently.
Gergiev and the orchestra really seemed in their element in the second half. The first movement of Shostakovich 10 was filled with passion and pathos, while the fiery second movement was never in danger of rushing with Gergiev on the podium. The brass section were on fine form throughout the work and there were some achingly beautiful solos from the woodwind (including a brilliant piccolo duet). The piece built in dramatic tension through the eerily upbeat third movement to a breathtaking finish at the end of the fourth. A masterful performance from Gergiev and the LSO.
INTERESTING FACT: Shostakovich was a football fanatic.
Barbican, 27 November 2011
It is always a pleasure to see Valery Gergiev returning to his roots with an all-Russian programme. This time, he was conducting Sofia Gubaidulina's In tempus praesens (In the present time) and Shostakovich's Symphony No. 10.
Anne-Sophie Mutter looked radiant as she took to the stage for In tempus praesens – Gubaidulina's second violin concerto, dedicated to Mutter. The 30-minute single-movement work presents the audience with an extraordinary sound world: an orchestra devoid of violins (except the soloist) yet enhanced by a harpsichord and a variety of percussion instruments - including a giant gong, which leaves your ears ringing every time it's struck. Mutter showed skill and dexterity, particularly in the cadenza, which was played magnificently.
Gergiev and the orchestra really seemed in their element in the second half. The first movement of Shostakovich 10 was filled with passion and pathos, while the fiery second movement was never in danger of rushing with Gergiev on the podium. The brass section were on fine form throughout the work and there were some achingly beautiful solos from the woodwind (including a brilliant piccolo duet). The piece built in dramatic tension through the eerily upbeat third movement to a breathtaking finish at the end of the fourth. A masterful performance from Gergiev and the LSO.
INTERESTING FACT: Shostakovich was a football fanatic.
No comments:
Post a Comment