RSPO in blazing form at the Proms

By David Truslove, 01 September 2017

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“the unresolved final chord ending fifteen minutes of nostalgia was magical”

Reviewed at Royal Albert Hall, London on 30 August 2017

Tarrodi, Liguria (UK premiere)

Barber, Knoxville: Summer of 1915

Barber, Sure on this Shining Night

Strauss R., Daphne (Transformation scene)

Strauss R., Morgen! Op.27 no.4

Nielsen, Symphony no. 2, "The Four Temperaments", Op.16

Renée Fleming, Soprano

Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

Sakari Oramo, Conductor

Musical tributes to Festival d’Aix as it wins Birgit Nilsson Prize

Peter Quantrill, 21st October

Pierre Audi is remembered in words and music as the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence receives $1m – the richest prize in classical music – at Stockholm’s Konserthuset.

Bancroft and the Royal Stockholm Phil brass shine in Bruckner

David Karlin, 24th October

The RSPO's Chief Conductor leads an impressive Bruckner 4. With Augustin Hagelich, Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto is lighter fare, but trips merrily.

****1

Music, people, planet: a triumphant celebration in music for Yo-Yo Ma

Stephen Pritchard, 18th October

The celebrated cellist becomes the first instrumentalist to be presented the Birgit Nilsson Prize by His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf at the official Award Ceremony in Stockholm.

*****

Birgit Nilsson Prize: dazzling Dvořák from the ever-smiling Yo-Yo Ma

Stephen Pritchard, 16th October

Yo-Yo Ma's beatific serenity speaks volumes about his approach to life and music as he gives a performance in Stockholm's Konserthuset ahead of receiving the Birgit Nilsson Prize later in the week.

****1

Old works and new from Jukka-Pekka Saraste and the RSPO

Sandra Bowdler, 25th November

An intriguing programming of old and new works, covering the time period 1893 to 1976, which themselves contain elements of old and new, beautifully performed.

****1

Grande Finale 4: Oramo and the RSPO conclude a majestic Sibelius cycle

Roy Westbrook, 29th May

In between the two symphonies, there was an extra Sibelius item, and this time it was a novelty.

*****

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David Truslove

After many years as a musician – conducting choirs, singing as a lay clerk at Winchester Cathedral and an involvement in education, David now writes programme notes, occasionally composes and enjoys a busy schedule of reviewing.

Prom 61: Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra in blazing form under Sakari Oramo