@ Usher Hall, Edinburgh, on Sun 27 Sep 2015
Humans are very inquisitive creatures, rarely content to leave things just be. Thus, when we are presented with, say, an unfinished symphony, it is very likely that this will become a personal challenge for at least someone, like an incomplete crossword discovered in an abandoned newspaper.
In the case of Mahler’s Symphony No. 10, which although substantially drafted was never completed by Mahler, several notable realisations have been produced. Probably the most well known of these is by the British musicologist Deryck Cooke, and the BBC SSO play the third revision of his reconstruction as the main feature of their 2015/16 season’s opening concert this afternoon.
First, however, we hear Glazunov’s short Violin Concerto in A minor, adeptly performed by the Canadian violinist James Ehnes. Perhaps the most notable thing about this work is its orchestration, unmistakably showing the influence of Rimsky-Korsakov, and beautifully conveyed by the BBC SSO’s nuanced yet extremely well-blended sound.
The Glazunov acts as an amuse-bouche, readying us for the dark intensity of the Mahler. The reconstruction is in some ways a curious thing to hear, as despite everything there is something rather chimerical about how this sounds—a series of orchestral inferences pieced together in an educated guess.
Again, the orchestra is superb: nicely balanced, mellifluous and clearly very engaged throughout. The brass are noteworthy here, creating a magnificently well-rounded fusion of sound, steering well clear of the temptation to overblow. Runnicles understanding of the work is clearly complete, and he is in absolute control of the music throughout, eschewing any of those theatrics that are surely tempting when conducting a work of such extreme contrasts.
The Symphony ends perfectly, the audience stilled well after Runnicles finally drops his baton, even the premature clappers cowed into silence.
This is certainly a great start to the BBC SSO’s new season, really demonstrating the orchestra’s mettle, setting the bar high.
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