BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Thomas Sondergaard
Asked to name a handful of the world’s finest orchestras, the BBC National Orchestra of Wales might not spring immediately to mind, but on the strength of last night’s Prom they are up there with the best.
The evening moved from strength to strength opening with the relentless energy of Colin Matthew’s Turning Point, being given its UK premiere. There is an intense forward thrust in the scoring, much of which is for near full orchestra at full volume, though it meanders at times without any clear sense of potential outcome. Even the quieter, more reflective sections maintain the restless skittering of the opening. Though the final sections are more relaxed, the work never really loses its intensity or underlying anxiety.
Daniel Hope was the soloist in Prokofiev’s second violin concerto and one who knows the work from long experience. A consummately impassioned account, it opened with a rich melancholy which never really left us even in the earthier rustic quality of the final movement. The rapid changes of mood were precisely placed and musically convincing. The more relaxed joy of the second movement was kept in place by an acidic edge which prevented it becoming sentimental. This was a finely considered and yet passionate account of a work we hear all too rarely.
Shostakovich’s Symphony No 11 The Year 1905 has been heard frequently at the Proms but I doubt if it has been heard as well played as this for many years. The hushed opening and strident solo trumpet were a hint of glories to come, the rolling crescendos beautifully paced with subtle dynamic control across the large orchestra. The horn and brass choruses in the second movement excelled themselves, being fiery without ever becoming too raw. It was at about this point I suddenly realised I was in the Royal Albert Hall and was hearing the work with such clarity. Not long ago, writing of this complexity and density would have been lost in the booming acoustic but on this occasion the crispness of the intonation was unexpected and thrilling. This may not be the Birmingham Symphony Hall, but on this occasion it did not matter! The calmer third movement simply prepared us for the onslaught of the finale, with its great clang of bells and brass outbursts. Throughout, Thomas Sondergaard had nurtured the finest and most intimate of responses from his players and they responded with sublime professionalism. The reception was fully justified. How splendid to find that we do not have to travel the world to hear playing of this quality. BH
The concert was recorded for television for broadcast on BBC4 on Sunday 4 August.
