Dundonnell
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« on: May 03, 2013, 12:49:26 am » |
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Just returned home from a quite splendid concert: Wagner's Prelude to Act I of "Lohengrin"(wonderful music), a marvellous performance of the Beethoven Emperor Concerto by Steven Osborne and Andrew Manze and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra giving a wonderful rendering of the RVW 9th.
My heavens...but that work has soared in my estimation even further, if that were possible. It is both a valedictory summation of all VW's symphonic work but also has a questing nature. There is no easy reconciliation at the end. That ending is both glorious and enigmatic. In his mid-80s VW retained the capacity to surprise his listeners with fresh sounds and novel instrumentation.
I also hear a number of passages which recall his great friend, Gustav Holst(a passage in the first movement which recalls "Egdon Heath", a rhythmic exoticism shortly afterwards that recalls the sound of "Beni Mora".
This was the sort of performance which was crying out to be recorded. Some record company needs to get Manze to do an RVW cycle. He clearly not only loves the music but can inspire a good orchestra to perform at the very peak of its ability!!
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