BBC Proms: Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Chung/ Erben, Belcea Quartet

Two Proms deliver a Holy Trinity, from geriatric Brahms to spectral Schubert

by Igor ToronyilalicTuesday, 19 July 2011

Violinist Corina Belcea-Fisher: 'Impeccable in technique and delivery'

The Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost materialised yesterday. And I'm not talking about the transcendental appearance of the Holy Trinity of News International. I'm talking Proms. Last night's two saw a geriatric performance of the Brahms double, a brand spanking new way through an old Rite and a transfiguringly spectral invocation of Schubert's Quintet.

Buy

Recordings by Renaud and Gautier Capucon on Amazon

Explore topics

Share this article

...

Permalink Submitted by Brian (not verified) on Wed, 20/07/2011 - 10:00

One of my friends said years ago "Brahms should bounce". Chung's idea of Brahms was far too dull. What one admired in this performance was the unanimity of the Capuçon brothers, Gautier watching Renaud intently. As for the Rite, all the notes were there in the right order, but without any feeling for the subtext of the music. Yet another Proms Rite that hasn't reached the excellence of the Budapest Festival Orchestra under Iván Fischer in 2006!

...

Permalink Submitted by David N (not verified) on Wed, 20/07/2011 - 10:22

That's it in a nutshell, Brian: "Brahms should bounce". And dance, and cross the barlines. Jurowski knows what to do. So did Ashkenazy in a Prom many years back which took me by surprise in its treatment of the second subjects almost as ballet music. Brahms is NOT dull or academic!

...

Permalink Submitted by Devils Trill (not verified) on Wed, 20/07/2011 - 10:36

The performance of the Brahms was quite dull, and Chung's accompaniment didn't really match the spirit of the soloists (though I found their playing rather too emphatic). The Rite was good (though the brass fell into the same trap that Daniele Gatti's French orchestra did last year at the end of the first part). I heard a stunningly good Rite played by Dutoit and the RPO at the RFH a month or two ago, which set the bar very high and as good as this one was, the Dutoit Rite was rather too fresh in my memory. The Belcea Schubert was outstanding, really making the case that we can listen to these works in different ways in unusual venues.

Add comment

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?

more Classical music

Fauré Centenary Concert 5, Wigmore Hall review - a final flight The master of levitation in transcendent performances from Steven Isserlis and friends

Ohlsson, BBC Philharmonic, Storgårds, Bridgewater Hall, Manchester review - grace and power in Brahms A time-travelling journey through the Austro-German Romantic tradition

Fauré Centenary Concert 1, Wigmore Hall review - Isserlis and friends soar Saint-Saëns is no also-ran in the opening event of a wondrous homage

'His ideal worlds embraced me with their light and love': violinist Irène Duval on the music of Fauré On the centenary of the great French composer's death, a fine interpreter pays homage

Aci, Galatea e Polifemo, La Nuova Musica, Bates, Wigmore Hall review - thrilling Handel at full throttle Vibrant rendering filled with passion and delight

Hallé, Wong, Bridgewater Hall, Manchester review - Bruckner’s Ninth completed Kahchun Wong takes Manchester audience on an epic journey

The Orchestral Forest, Smith Square Hall review - living the orchestra from the inside Immersive concert explores the plight of the British rainforest through music

Classical CDs: Leaves, prisms and sub-bass A great pianist bows out, plus two cello discs and a new organ's first outing

First Person: Bob Riley on Manchester Camerata's championship of a Centre of Excellence for Music and Dementia Making a difference out of the musical ghetto

Aurora Orchestra, Collon, Drumsheds review - surround-sound magic in the super-club On a vast dancefloor, the chance to listen from inside the orchestra

Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective, Wigmore Hall review - warm and colourful Bartók and Brahms Versatile chamber ensemble excels in clarinet-focused repertoire

Christian Gerhaher, Gerold Huber, Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford review - an unforgettable recital The great German baritone in glorious voice at the Oxford International Song Festival

Follow @theartsdesk