Wednesday 21 August 2013

It is a truism that if you want an audience for a new work, include some Mozart or Vivaldi in the programme. In this case read Sibelius and Elgar, who were presumably the main draw for a full Royal Albert Hall. Not that there was any reason to doubt the potential of the evening given that Sakari Oramo is one of our finest interpreters of both composers.

The evening opened, however, with the world premiere of a BBC commission – Param Vir’s Cave of Luminous Mind. The programme note by the composer seemed to bear little relationship to the work itself. Apart from the mist of strings which underpinned much of the opening section it was difficult to find the meditative or mystical elements referred to. The sudden bursts of percussion and brass may have hinted at the distractions which come to those in the early stages of meditation but otherwise it was difficult to follow any obvious sense of logic. It might have been easier to simply listen and ignore the notes, for much of the writing is assured and pleasing. The second part – Vibrant­ – includes unexpected weather effects, with rain tubes, thunder sheet and wind machine. Given its dramatic impact the planned opera should be worth exploring.

The Georgian violinist Lisa Batiashvili was the soloist in Sibelius’ violin concerto and made a fine partner to Sakari Oramo’s assured reading of the work. The opening was so hushed – a mist creeping silently into the hall – that it was barely there at all. Frequently during the work this sense of awe and mystery returned, and it was the solo violin which seemed to be trying to break out of the often bleak passages. Her phrasing was immaculate and she managed to combine sweetness and virility, often within the same phrases. Sudden flashes of sunlight illuminated a sense of hesitancy and coming desolation. Only the final movement brought any sense of encouragement as the running energy of the dance rhythm overtook the earlier despair. A wonderful and totally convincing reading.

Granville Bantock is an underrated English composer so it was good to hear his Celtic Symphony in the company of Sibelius and Elgar. Written in 1940 for strings and six harps it takes a Prom performance to bring these forces together. The work has a sense of remoteness and isolation in much of the writing but also incorporates hints of Celtic song. It is romantic without ever becoming sentimental. Apart from the fine playing by the six harpists there is an extended cello solo Susan Monks which impressed by its sensitivity.

Sakari Oramo has proved his worth in earlier Elgar performances, giving one of the finest renditions of Gerontius in Birmingham that I have ever heard. His approach to The Enigma Variations is of warmth, joy and friendship throughout. He brings exceptional clarity to the orchestral sound – the BBC Symphony Orchestra still on excellent form – and a richness which never becomes over-egged.

Another wonderful evening in what is turning out to be an exceptional season. BH