Albert Concerto

Classical Music At The Proms – Reviews From The Arts Desk

As the BBC Proms are in full swing at the Royal Albert Hall, The Arts Desk have been reviewing the biggest event on London’s classical music calendar.

Finding himself unexpectedly at the edge of his seat David Nice attended a vintage programme from the Hallé Orchestra during Sir Mark Elder’s first Sibelius offering, the ‘Scènes historiques’. In the next Sibelius piece however, Elder’s conducting became clunky and lacked a sense of theatre. With his seemingly effortless performances of Bartók and Schubert, classical pianist András Schiff however, kept the crowd spellbound. 

Toronyi-Lalic feared the venue would drown out the Ravel, Debussy and Falla of that evening’s Prom. The issue was avoided entirely however by the BBC Philharmonic’s new conductor, Juanjo Mena who tried to hide it by reducing the orchestra’s sound in an attempt to hide from it. Toronyi-Lalic could make out some tantalisingly alluring and interesting sounds, however the Prom was crying out for some macho swagger, but sadly this was missing. 

Toronyi-Lalic was in for a few surprises with Sir Roger Norrington’s take on Mahler’s Ninth. The conductor was in a playful mood and created an extraordinary intense effect with the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra as he demonstrated his adherence to historical authenticity, banning all vibrato from the piece.

Toronyi-Lalic was left feeling baffled by Verdi’s Requiem, as he felt the piece is perfectly suited to the Royal Albert Hall, the cast were fantastic and the three amateur UK choirs had impressive unity, drama and nuance. He felt his love for the piece disappearing, seeing it as more theatrical these days, rather than profound.

Finally Toronyi-Lalic believed he’d witness the Father, Son and Holy Spirit of classical music. The performance of the Brahms Double Concerto was rather geriatric in earlier Prom. The follow-up ‘Rite of Spring’ however, was remarkably fresh and transparent, with every section of the orchestra exposed, causing them all to step up a gear accordingly.   

Eugen d’Albert – Piano Concerto No.2 Op.12 PART 1 of 2 – MICHAEL PONTI

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