Mote Hall, Maidstone, Saturday 23 March 2019
For the penultimate concert of the season Brian Wright brought us a headily romantic programme with some interesting parallels. He was right to point out that Dvorak’s Symphonic Variations are rarely performed which is strange given their immediacy and lyricism. Perhaps it is the structure of the work, which at times seems to meander through its moods and textures, enjoying the moment rather than wanting to get to the end. Yet the end itself justifies the approach. Just as we think we are in for a classical fugal climax Dvorak throws this over for an exuberant polka and an almost hedonistic conclusion. Throughout, detail impressed and the many changes of texture were well found.
Benjamin Baker made a welcome return as soloist in Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto. His approach drew interesting parallels with the earlier Dvorak for the first two movements focused on quiet introspection rather than the more showy technical details – not that there was anything wrong with the brilliant technique he brings to the work – but that he explored the inner life of the score rather than its surface details. Only in the final movement did he allow himself to relax into the joyous outburst of the folk-dance rhythms – a move which many of the original listeners found vulgar and inappropriate. Today, thankfully, we can enjoy ourselves without feeling guilty.
After the interval we heard Brahms’ Second Symphony. The opening movement unfolded with a mellow warmth, unhurried but never too slow. Dynamic control impressed, allowing individual voices to shine through, and there was particularly fine playing from the cellos. The Adagio had an unexpected heroism in its attack which led into bright wind playing for the Allegretto.
The final movement was again unhurried even if swiftly moving, and the brass came into their own with a magnificent, blazing fanfare at the climax.
The final concert of this season brings us Borodin, Schumann and Rachmaninov on 18 May and the exciting programme details for the 2019-20 season are also now available. www.mso.org.uk