Prom 48: Matthias Pintscher's new work fascinates at the Royal Albert Hall

By Alice Hughes, 22 August 2013

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Reviewed at Royal Albert Hall, London on 18 August 2013

Ravel, Rapsodie espagnole

Pintscher, Chute d'Étoiles, for two trumpets and orchestra (London première)

Stravinsky, The Firebird

Tine Thing Helseth, Trumpet

Marco Blaauw, Trumpet

BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra

Matthias Pintscher, Conductor

Astonishing Mahler 2 from Runnicles and the BBC Scottish

David Smythe, 1st March

Sir Donald Runnicles and the BBC Scottish reunite for an astonishing Mahler 2 with Karen Cargill, Jennifer Davis and the Edinburgh Festival Chorus.

*****

Sweeping Rachmaninov and scorching Barber from the BBC Scottish

Simon Thompson, 8th February

Despite the presence of Rachmaninov's Second Piano Concerto on the bill, it is a gripping performance of Samuel Barber's First Symphony that steals this Usher Hall Sunday matinee.

****1

Meditative and powerful Górecki at Celtic Connections

David Smythe, 20th January

The Celtic Connections festival showcases Górecki’s Sorrowful Songs, the BBC Scottish with soprano Francesca Chiejina conducted by Pawel Kapula with a thoughtful introductory song set from Alice Zawadzki.

****1

Celebrating 90 years of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra

David Smythe, 20th November

Martyn Brabbins conducts MacMillan’s Confession of Isobel Gowdie, BBCSSO founder Ian Whyte’s forgotten Violin Concerto with Stephanie Gonley, and a memorable Rachmaninov 2.

****1

Canellakis brings sparkle and shine to Stravinsky and Bernstein

Simon Thompson, 21st August

Karina Canellakis brings a riot of Technicolor to the Edinburgh International Festival, but countertenor Hugh Cutting threatens to steal the show in Chichester Psalms.

****1

Revelatory Birtwistle and Beethoven from the BBC Scottish SO

Peter Quantrill, 28th July

A composer-conductor's insight yields lasting rewards in Earth Dances and the Eroica at the Royal Albert Hall.

*****

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Alice Hughes

Alice studied Music and French Literature at the universities of Cardiff and Oxford. An avid concert-goer from a young age, she has a particular fondness for the music of Debussy, Satie and Rachmaninov and a lifelong interest in Paris as a hub of musical activity from the Belle Epoque onwards.