BBC Philharmonic, Westmorland Hall, Kendal
THE BBC Philharmonic attracted a full house for the final concert of the Lakeland Sinfonia Concert Society’s season. Brahms, Beethoven and Rimsky-Korsakov were the composers on display and Richard Farnes, maestro for the night, oversaw compulsive performances of three of their masterpieces.
After a not-quite-immaculate start to his 3rd Symphony Brahms would surely have been content with the Philharmonic’s subsequent thoroughly convincing reading; the full-bodied, sonorous tuttis, the fluent ebb and flow, the vibrant scoring and, in the slower movements, the warm glow and calm intimacy, for all of which he is famed.
Beethoven, from on high, will have heard incalculable versions of his Violin Concerto. Few will have delighted him more than that presented by Elena Urioste in most sensitive partnership with the Philharmonic. Together, soloist, orchestra and conductor created inspirational, sophisticated music-making - highly individual interpretation, sparkle, romantic lyricism, lovely phrasing and from Urioste, ravishing tone, impeccable musicianship and an entrancing stage presence.
A huge orchestra and unbounded virtuosity are required if dynamism, colour, excitement, Eastern enchantment, such as are found in Capriccio Espagnol, are to be fully explored. They were! This was a sumptuous grand finale.
Brian Paynes
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