Sailing close to the wind: RVW's Sea Symphony

By Chris Garlick, 24 January 2016

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“every climax hit home like a tsunami”

Reviewed at Royal Festival Hall, London on 24 January 2016

Vaughan Williams, The Wasps: Overture

Finzi, Clarinet Concerto in C minor, Op.31

Vaughan Williams, Symphony no. 1 "A Sea Symphony"

Philharmonia Orchestra

John Wilson, Conductor

Mark van de Wiel, Clarinet

Sally Matthews, Soprano

Roderick Williams, Baritone

Bristol Choral Society

Gloucester Choral Society

Philharmonia Voices

Classical grace and Romantic eloquence from the Philharmonia

Christopher Woodley, 7th May

The contrasting delights of Schumann, Brahms and Dvořák are powerfully evoked in performances of charm, eloquence and high drama from the Philharmonia, continuing the orchestra’s 80th anniversary celebrations.

****1

Benedetti ablaze with the Philharmonia

Christopher Woodley, 19th April

As gifts to the Philarmonia's 80th birthday season, Nicola Benedetti gives a barnstorming account of Elgar's Violin Concerto before Cristian Mӑcelaru gets emotionally drained by La Mer.

*****

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

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Chris Garlick

Chris Garlick is the co-founder of Signal Gallery in Hoxton. His first degree was in music, training as a classical composer. Chris has written about art frequently in Art of England magazine, Artist and Illustrator for online blogs.

Sailing close to the wind: John Wilson and the Philharmonia in Vaughan Williams' Sea Symphony