Pandemic programming: Shostakovich and Sibelius in Gothenburg

By Roy Westbrook, 18 September 2020

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“the frequent ff trombone intrusion became just a musical signpost, a rasp not a raspberry”

Reviewed at Gothenburg Concert Hall, Gothenburg on 17 September 2020

Shostakovich, Symphony no. 9 in E flat major, Op.70

Sibelius, Symphony no. 3 in C major, Op.52

Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra

Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Conductor

Memorable Symphone fantastique, austere Sibelius from the GSO

David Karlin, 25th November

The precise control of Santu-Matthias Rouvali yields a reference Symphonie fantastique from the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra; the Sibelius Violin Concerto is less convincing.

****1

Hannigan balances light and dark in Gothenburg

Cameron Kelsall, 17th September

The program prominently featured compositions by Canadian composer Claude Vivier alongside works of Haydn and Busoni.

****1

Barbara Hannigan tackles Mahler’s Fourth in Gothenburg

Edward Sava-Segal, 1st October

Singing as well as conducting, Barbara Hannigan leads the GSO in symphonies by Haydn and Mahler.

****1

Peter Mattei's moving Mahler in Gothenburg season opener

Timothy Robson, 10th September

Baritone Peter Mattei brought both musical sensitivity as well as almost Berg-ian drama to Mahler’s Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen, ably supported by Manfred Honeck and the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, in a successful livestream concert.

***11

Ravel’s playful sound worlds with Alice Sara Ott

David Renke, 20th February

In which Santtu-Matias Rouvali and the Gothenburg Symphony seek out a contrast with the dark sound colours of Sibelius.

****1

Rouvali brings Kullervo to Gothenburg

David Karlin, 14th September

Sibelius' Kalevala-inspired epic is given the full treatment by the Orphei Drängar choir and the Gothenburg Symphony in Santtu-Matias Rouvali's inaugural concert as Chief Conductor of the Gothenburg Symphony.

****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.

Pandemic programming: Gothenburg SO and Saraste play Shostakovich and Sibelius