Bamberger Symphoniker Dvořák’s Ninth Symphony Usher Hall 7th August Review
Bamberger Symphoniker Dvořák’s Ninth Symphony 07-08-24_©JessShurte
Bamberger Symphoniker were on safe ground tonight at the Usher Hall with their tribute to two acknowledged geniuses of Romantic music - Johannes Brahms and Antonín Leopold Dvořák.
The opening music for tonight’s concert was Brahms – Double Concerto in A minor Op 102. Composed in 1887, this was Brahms’ final work for orchestra, and its initial response for the two main instruments for which it was written, violin and cello, was less than enthusiastic.
As always, it is time that decides what music survives not only in popularity, but in the esteem in which it is held, and opinions have certainly changed on this work.
This evening, this work provided the perfect showcase for its two star soloists - Isabelle Faust (Violin) and Sol Gabetta (Cello), and their ability to bring to life this classic work, to fill it with colour and emotion, was well deserving of the applause received at the end. Perhaps Brahms need not have doubted so much his abilities (as he did) in writing for two instruments that were not his own. Brahms also left in this composition enough space for the rest of the orchestra to add their own individual voices to this work. Still at times, though, you do get that feeling that this double concerto was planning to lead you into something a little bit different, but that never happens.
The second half of tonight’s concert was the title one of the evening, Dvořák Symphony No 9 (aka From the New World symphony) and the second movement is one of the most recognisable pieces of classical music to so many people (even those who think that they know no classical music). This may in the UK be due to the fact that if you are of a certain age then you will forever associate it as the music to the much loved “Hovis Bread” advert (first aired in 1973). It is of course a wonderful work in its own right and conductor Jakub Hrůša gave a masterpiece class in how it should be performed tonight (along with the rest of the symphony of course).
This symphony is Dvořák’s homage to the land of his new home (America) and this symphony is infused with the music of all cultures that he was hearing. From this New World, Dvořák is drawing inspiration from diverse sources including European settlers and native American and negro spiritual songs and music.
Bamberger Symphoniker as an orchestra had a bright sound tonight and that was perfect for this symphony and in parts you could almost imagine the sun rising over Dvořák’s New World.
Review by Tom King © 2024
www.artsreviewsedinburgh.com
The opening music for tonight’s concert was Brahms – Double Concerto in A minor Op 102. Composed in 1887, this was Brahms’ final work for orchestra, and its initial response for the two main instruments for which it was written, violin and cello, was less than enthusiastic.
As always, it is time that decides what music survives not only in popularity, but in the esteem in which it is held, and opinions have certainly changed on this work.
This evening, this work provided the perfect showcase for its two star soloists - Isabelle Faust (Violin) and Sol Gabetta (Cello), and their ability to bring to life this classic work, to fill it with colour and emotion, was well deserving of the applause received at the end. Perhaps Brahms need not have doubted so much his abilities (as he did) in writing for two instruments that were not his own. Brahms also left in this composition enough space for the rest of the orchestra to add their own individual voices to this work. Still at times, though, you do get that feeling that this double concerto was planning to lead you into something a little bit different, but that never happens.
The second half of tonight’s concert was the title one of the evening, Dvořák Symphony No 9 (aka From the New World symphony) and the second movement is one of the most recognisable pieces of classical music to so many people (even those who think that they know no classical music). This may in the UK be due to the fact that if you are of a certain age then you will forever associate it as the music to the much loved “Hovis Bread” advert (first aired in 1973). It is of course a wonderful work in its own right and conductor Jakub Hrůša gave a masterpiece class in how it should be performed tonight (along with the rest of the symphony of course).
This symphony is Dvořák’s homage to the land of his new home (America) and this symphony is infused with the music of all cultures that he was hearing. From this New World, Dvořák is drawing inspiration from diverse sources including European settlers and native American and negro spiritual songs and music.
Bamberger Symphoniker as an orchestra had a bright sound tonight and that was perfect for this symphony and in parts you could almost imagine the sun rising over Dvořák’s New World.
Review by Tom King © 2024
www.artsreviewsedinburgh.com
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