Gods and cobblers: heavenly Wagner from Terfel and the Philharmonia

Sir Bryn Terfel

Alexander Soddy conducts the Philharmonia

By Roy Westbrook, 27 March 2023

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“the Philharmonia horns capping the climax as if calling from Bayreuth’s pit”

Reviewed at Royal Festival Hall, London on 26 March 2023

Wagner, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg: Prelude to Act 1

Wagner, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg: Was duftet doch der Flieder

Wagner, Lohengrin: prelude to Act 3

Wagner, Die Walküre: Wotan's Farewell, "Leb Wohl,du Kühnes"

Wagner, Die Walküre: Magic Fire Music

Bruckner, Symphony no. 6 in A major, WAB 106

Alexander Soddy, Conductor

Sir Bryn Terfel, Bass-baritone

Philharmonia Orchestra

A Resurrection for the ages: Kent Nagano conducts the Philharmonia

Eleanor Knight, 19th March

Any performance of Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony is an event, but this mighty Philharmonia account at the Royal Festival Hall proves extra special.

*****

A brilliant UK premiere of John Adams’ After the Fall

David Karlin, 25th February

The Icelandic pianist and Finnish conductor make a superb case for John Adams' latest concerto; the Philharmonia play Ravel's Daphnis et Chloé strongly but don't convince completely.

****1

Renes replaces Runnicles in a remarkable Philharmonia Bruckner 8

Dominic Lowe, 19th February

Stepping in for Sir Donald Runnicles at very short notice, Lawrences Renes conducts the Philharmonia in a sleek and vivid reading of Bruckner's magisterial Eighth Symphony.

****1

Karpman’s opera Balls tells a great story, but overshoots the line

David Karlin, 20th November

An entertaining portrayal of the 1973 “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs is marred by ham-fisted amplification.

**111

Giltburg and Foster celebrate the Philharmonia’s 80th birthday

Nick Boston, 17th November

Boris Giltburg emphasising the expression in not one but two piano concertos, with commanding performances from Lawrence Foster and the Philharmonia.

****1

Paavo Järvi and the Philharmonia: a debut and a swansong

Roy Westbrook, 9th November

Alena Baeva impresses in her belated Philharmonia debut, playing Max Bruch’s evergreen First Violin Concerto.

****1

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Roy Westbrook

Roy Westbrook gained a diploma in music history at London University (Morley College) and was for some years the head of music day schools at Oxford University, where he also led music summer schools. After some years leading the University's business school he has returned to music teaching and writing, and recently took part in the Arts in Residence courses on Bruckner, Mahler and Bach He is co-author (with Terry Barfoot) of a history of opera, and has taught day schools on Sibelius in Oxford and elsewhere.

Gods and cobblers: heavenly Wagner from Sir Bryn Terfel and the Philharmonia