BBCSO, Bĕlohlávek, Barbican Hall | reviews, news & interviews
BBCSO, Bĕlohlávek, Barbican Hall
BBCSO, Bĕlohlávek, Barbican Hall
Czech master conductor soars to new heights in a Martinů masterpiece
Sunday, 18 April 2010
Jiři Bĕlohlávek, great interpreter of Czech music, champions a masterpiece by compatriot Martinů Clive Barda
It needs saying yet again, until the message gets through: Bohuslav Martinů is one of the great symphonic masters of the 20th century, and his fellow Czech, chief conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra Jiři Bĕlohlávek, once more proves the right man to marshal a golden Martinů revival. It needs saying above all because, for all the beauties and oddities in every bar of the six symphonies, composed at the height of the exiled composer's mastery in America and France between 1942 and 1953, the Third Symphony is perhaps the one which cries out masterpiece from embattled start to shatteringly moving finish. I never thought I'd be writing this, but last night it even outshone by a long way two intriguing but problematic works by Stravinsky and Prokofiev.
It needs saying yet again, until the message gets through: Bohuslav Martinů is one of the great symphonic masters of the 20th century, and his fellow Czech, chief conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra Jiři Bĕlohlávek, once more proves the right man to marshal a golden Martinů revival. It needs saying above all because, for all the beauties and oddities in every bar of the six symphonies, composed at the height of the exiled composer's mastery in America and France between 1942 and 1953, the Third Symphony is perhaps the one which cries out masterpiece from embattled start to shatteringly moving finish. I never thought I'd be writing this, but last night it even outshone by a long way two intriguing but problematic works by Stravinsky and Prokofiev.
more Classical music
Bach's Easter Oratorio, OAE, Whelan, QEH review - the joys of springtime
The upbeat, sunlit side of Holy Week Bach
Schubert Piano Sonatas 4, Paul Lewis, Wigmore Hall review - feverish and sometimes violent
Explosive new insights in the pianist's latest interpretations of the last three masterpieces
Bach St John Passion, Dublin Bach Singers, Marlborough Baroque Orchestra, Murphy, St Ann's Church, Dublin - choral fire
Passion and precision from a very engaging ensemble, soloists more variable
Bach Passions, Dunedin Consort, Mulroy/Jeannin, St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral/Queen's Hall, Edinburgh review - twin peaks
Scaling the heights of Saints Matthew and John within a week
Our Mother, Stone Nest review - musical drama in a mother's grief
Touching staged version of Pergolesi’s 'Stabat Mater' features brilliant singing
Gillam, Hallé, Poska, Bridgewater Hall, Manchester review - an experience of colour and fun
Sensitive shaping from a consummate Estonian
Ensemble Augelletti, London Handel Festival, Charterhouse review - dynamic framing of the honorary Englishman
Delightfully inventive repertoire performed with wit and energy
St Mary's Music School, RSNO, Søndergård, Usher Hall, Edinburgh review - a shining role for young choristers
A youthful evening promises more than it delivers
Bevan, Williams, BBCSO, MacMillan, Barbican review - inspirational journey from darkness to light
UK premiere of 'Fiat Lux' alongside other works evoking transcendence and revelation
First Person: conductor Peter Whelan on coming full circle with the Monteverdi Choir and Orchestra
From watching Handel's 'Israel in Egypt' on TV to conducting it
Hughes, SCO, Kuusisto, Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh review - Clyne shines, Grime fragments
Playing and programming admirable, but this concert bulged at the seam
Classical CDs: Cigars, cognac and tarantulas
Concertante works for cello and orchestra, plus music for pianos, winds and solo strings
Add comment