Work: Leonore Overture no. 2, Op.72a

A concert of two halves: the Philharmonia and Dame Mitsuko Uchida light up Beethoven with the essence of Classical style, but the orchestra struggles in Sibelius’ Lemminkäinen Suite. 

A startling new work from Jörg Widmann follows disciplined Beethoven at the Philharmonie. 

At 89, Blomstedt may now be in the autumn of his years, but his conducting is certainly the equivalent of Ol' Blue Eyes' “vintage wine from fine old kegs”, as evidenced in tonight's splendid all-Beethoven Prom with the Gewandhaus.