I was really looking forward to the concert because I enjoy many pieces of Russian music.
The concert began confidently with Stravinsky’s Symphonies Of Wind Instruments. We were plunged into a Russia, both ancient and modern, welcomed by the brass and woodwind. The piece is twenty-four instruments (thirteen woodwind, four horns and seven brass). Broad, masculine and clean sound from the brass contrasted with sweet, whistling, alive textures from the flutes.
Tchaikovsky’s violin concerto is a piece of colour and passion .The soloist, Vadim Repin plays a melody of beauty after the orchestra hushed down for the solo part to begin. The virtuoso violinist enthralled the audience with his violin: pure and full of powerful phrasing and feeling of emotion of the piece as well in the dazzling and fast cadenza. The three movements of the concerto contrast with each other perfectly.
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra played Scheherazade by Rimsky-Korsakov with passion. The symphonic suit consists of four movements that tell four separate stories from The Thousand and One Nights. I particularly enjoyed the second movement, The Kalander Prince, because it was exciting and evocative. For me, I particularly admired the playing of the first trumpet.
The Leader of the orchestra, Clio Gould, performed the solo violin part, which represents Scheherazade, the storyteller, very elegantly.
Conductor Charles Dutoit, a stunning artist of compassion, conducted The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. There was great enthusiasm from each and every one of the musicians, which led to a clear yet exciting sound.
I really enjoyed the performance because of the professionalism of the orchestra, soloist and conductor.
By Katalin Oldland, age 10
Katalin attended a concert at the Royal Festival Hall on 20th January with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Charles Dutoit.
credit: David Lindsay
