ONCE again the musicians of the ESO, with William Boughton conducting, discharged Brahms' music with interpretations of the highest quality, as is expected from them.
The horn pronouncement ushered in the Tragic Overture and led to string playing of extraordinary depth and some beautiful repetitions of a phrase tossed between the violins, flutes, cellos and brass, before culminating in a rousing final cadence.
Philippe Graffin was the soloist in Violin Concerto in D. From the first notes of the long orchestral preamble of the epic 'Allegro non troppo' he was mentally involved in the performance. The soloist's first entry, cadenza-like in style, soon gave way to a Brahmsian jewel of a melody; the orchestral strings soared and sang radiantly.
The 'Adagio', an introverted movement, was introduced by the plaintive oboe, giving a calm entry for the soloist's serene and legato line.
In the third and last movement 'Allegro giocoso - ma non troppo vivace', which is a celebration of Hungarian gypsy inspiration, the rhythm was accented keenly, contributing much to a stirring finale.
The ESO was at it's finest in Symphony No 2 in D. The 'Allegro non troppo', an initial brooding, heightened by the severe timpani, soon developed into poignant melody. Brass and woodwind were intense as a second wonderful theme emerged.
The final 'Allegro con spirito' heard the emphatic timpani and brass complemented by gentler woodwind. In conclusion, blazing brass guided the full orchestra to a glorious finish. Jill Hopkins
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