Hull City Hall – 4th May 2023
Reviewed by Dawn Bennett
5*****
As part of the Hull City Hall Classics 2022/2023 (in partnership with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Hull Philharmonic Orchestra) last night we were treated to a masterclass in how to produce an orchestral concert. I have seen the Royal Philharmonic on a number of occasions and they seem to get better every time I see them. Their conductor was Antony Hermus (Chief Conductor Designate of the Belgian National Orchestra and Principal Guest Conductor of the North Netherlands Orchestra and Opera North) and his enthusiasm and skill was evident from the moment he set foot on the City Hall stage. He kept the audience in the palm of his hand and his explanation of the pieces was very well received.
The first piece was by Zoltan Kodaly (1882-1967) Dance of Galanta. From the Hungarian melodies to the soaring string section (led by First Violinist Magnus Johnston) and the light and shade of the woodwind and percussion section this piece held the rapt attention of the audience. Zolan Kodaly started off as a romantic composer in the mainstream 19th Century tradition before he began absorbing the folk music of Hungary.
The next piece was Franz Liszt (1811-1886) Piano Concerto No.1 in E-flat major, S124. Fransz List took over 26 years to write this concerto performing it himself the first time. The piano was played by Shunta Morimoto, he was born in Kyoto, Japan, in December 2004 and this very talented pianist was awarded the Fukuda Scholarship Award at the age of twelve. He is currently studying at the International Piano Academy Lake Como (with Maestro William Grant Nabore). His piano playing was sublime and he was a joy to watch and listen to. From dark and brooding to light and melodic he played with such feeling and very much deserved the standing ovation he got after which he played a fabulous solo piece.
The final piece was Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) Symphony No.5 in C minor Op.67. Beethoven started to write this symphony in 1804 and he knew he was going deaf at this point; he wrote it over 4 years along with a number of other pieces. To hear an orchestra of this calibre playing the opening bars of this very recognisable piece of music in the magnificence of the Hull City Hall was fabulous. As the conductor explained that this piece of music was his first introduction to classical music and I think that this would be the same for a lot of other people, myself included.
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra always produce brilliant concerts and I would urge anyone to go and see them, you won’t be disappointed.