Forum Theatre, Malvern – 19th January 2024
Reviewed by Courie Amado Juneau
5*****
I have had the extreme good fortune to catch the English Symphony Orchestra’s last few concerts and they have been nothing but exceptional each and every time. Tonight was no exception as they gave us yet another evening of world class entertainment.
First on the programme was Eleanor Alberga’s concert overture “Jupiter’s Fairground” (1992). I was unfamiliar with both the work and the composer so it was a lovely surprise to discover she was from our area. An even lovelier surprise was that she was here in person! She gave us some background information about the piece and a rather amusing anecdote, all of which added to the enjoyment. The piece itself was a very interesting one, in equal measure both lively and dramatic with (to my ears) shades of a film score such as 2001 or West Side Story meets Shostakovich and was a highly entertaining opening number from a composer whose works I shall certainly explore further.
We continued with Samuel Barber’s “Knoxville: Summer of 1915” (1948), helpfully introduced by our soprano tonight; April Fredrick. She explained how the work was like returning to a place you used to know but finding it had changed, feeling both familiar and displaced. I could certainly hear this in the music with some lovely wistful strings with tutti agitation at times. Another beautiful piece of music that perfectly complimented the first and led nicely to the final piece of the first half…
…Antonin Dvorak’s “Song to the Moon from Rusalka” (1901). Ms Fredrick’s tone was haunting and tender but with an aching power that did the music full justice – you could certainly hear this was from an opera aria! A gorgeous performance. The string section, especially, were sumptuous with some ethereal quiet sections that took the breath away.
Mr Kenneth Wood’s conducting was, as always, absolutely flawless. The tempos were spot on and the clarity of execution was breathtaking with the everyone coming in crisply with such precision that the music was lovingly presented in all its glory. This is without doubt my favourite orchestra. The truly spectacular thing that always strikes me
is the balance of the orchestra, with every section being perfectly clear in itself and against every other section. Hearing this orchestra is like hearing a modern remastered CD – new details in the music are suddenly audible, the composers intentions are revealed anew. A revelatory experience!
The second half had a single masterpiece: Mozart’s “Symphony No. 41 ‘Jupiter’” (1788). Although a “classical period” work, I feel this is more like early Beethoven straddling both the classical and early “romantic period”. The ESO brought out all the passion and drama in this incredible work with playing of exceptional beauty, both muscular and tender – quite a rare feat. I was deeply impressed with the agile way the orchestra managed to switch these emotional gears with effortless conviction.
Another flawless night of the best music in the world from a world class orchestra. Sheer perfection. The only disappointment was that the music came to an end and we had to go home. Do yourself a massive favour and see this orchestra asap. I know I’m eagerly awaiting their return