mon 30/12/2024

BBC Proms: Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Chung | reviews, news & interviews

BBC Proms: Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Chung

BBC Proms: Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Chung

A Gallic invasion of the Proms offers both style and substance

Sibling rivalry: The charismatic Capuçon brothers face off in two concertos in two nights

Never has a French invasion of these shores been quite so welcome. The two-day siege currently being staged in the Royal Albert Hall by Myung-Whun Chung and his Orchestra Philharmonique de Radio France opened last night with patriotic fervour in an all-French programme. Even Beethoven’s Triple Concerto began rolling its “R”s when cajoled into life by the dashing Capuçon brothers. While their strongly accented interpretation may not have been to everyone’s taste, as an exhalation after the meditative intensity of Messiaen and Dusapin it was perfectly judged.

Never has a French invasion of these shores been quite so welcome. The two-day siege currently being staged in the Royal Albert Hall by Myung-Whun Chung and his Orchestra Philharmonique de Radio France opened last night with patriotic fervour in an all-French programme. Even Beethoven’s Triple Concerto began rolling its “R”s when cajoled into life by the dashing Capuçon brothers. While their strongly accented interpretation may not have been to everyone’s taste, as an exhalation after the meditative intensity of Messiaen and Dusapin it was perfectly judged.

Comments

I am mystified by the reference to Frank Braley returning with the Capuçon brothers in the Brahms Double Concerto. I hope this isn't another addition to a Brahms work, the Academic Festival Overture's choral ending was pointless enough!

Even if it does 'roll its rs', Beethoven's Triple Concerto can't be part of an 'all-French programme', can it?

Brian you are quite correct of course; I meant to say that the Capucons were returning with Chung, not Braley.

Add comment

The future of Arts Journalism

 

You can stop theartsdesk.com closing!

We urgently need financing to survive. Our fundraising drive has thus far raised £33,000 but we need to reach £100,000 or we will be forced to close. Please contribute here: https://gofund.me/c3f6033d

And if you can forward this information to anyone who might assist, we’d be grateful.

Subscribe to theartsdesk.com

Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com. For unlimited access to every article in its entirety, including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces, we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year. We feel it's a very good deal, and hope you do too.

To take a subscription now simply click here.

And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription?

newsletter

Get a weekly digest of our critical highlights in your inbox each Thursday!

Simply enter your email address in the box below

View previous newsletters