United Kingdom Beethoven, Bruckner: Leif One Andsnes (piano), Philharmonia Orchestra / Esa-Pekka Salonen (conductor). Royal Competition Corridor, London, 4.10.2026. (JR)
Beethoven – Piano Concerto No.3, Op. 37
Bruckner – Symphony No. 4
This live performance ought to have been carried out by the veteran and commemorated Swedish conductor Herbert Blomstedt, who’s now in his a hundredth yr. In Could this yr, while conducting the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra in a efficiency of Mahler’s Ninth Symphony, no much less, he had a well being challenge, the results of an ear an infection, and his docs prescribed a interval of relaxation. Assuming his well being permits him to return to the rostrum, his upcoming itinerary consists of performances with the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra in December, the Orchestre de Paris in January and the Staatskapelle Dresden in February. Then in July a serious sequence of a hundredth birthday tribute live shows. While all of us want the Swedish maestro nicely, we aren’t holding our breath.
Orchestras which have scheduled him to conduct will, little doubt, all have the sense to have replacements-in-waiting; and it so it was that the Philharmonia referred to as on a former Chief Conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen to step in for this afternoon live performance. Oddly, he selected to switch the initially scheduled Bruckner Symphony No.5 with No.4, presumably a piece with which he’s extra acquainted. I used to be stunned that the programme made no point out by any means of Herbert Blomstedt.
The primary half of the live performance proceeded as had been deliberate, Leif One Andsnes performing Beethoven’s Third Piano Concerto. As anticipated, the efficiency was flawless, Andsnes utterly with out flamboyance or any extra muscularity, and in full command of the work. He performed with refinement and class, his first motion cadenza had the viewers enthralled. The timpani had been moved close to to the entrance of the stage and the 2 trumpeters performed on pure devices. The sluggish motion lingered a bit too lengthy for my liking, but it surely was a phenomenal rendition. Familiarity can breed contempt with works similar to this however our consideration by no means strayed, such was the standard of taking part in. The tempestuous finale ended with a veritable flourish and we had been rewarded with a splendidly mesmeric encore, Sibelius’s Fifth Impromptu in B minor, scintillating cascades up and down the keyboard. Only a pity we might additionally hear the thump thump from under the auditorium.
Salonen had the measure of Bruckner’s Fourth Symphony, each when it comes to tempi, circulate and construction. The orchestra performed like a dream for him and he was visibly happy with the efficiency. After the hush of the strings, in got here the Principal Horn – crystal clear and crisp. If I’m not mistaken, this was Eleanor Blakeney, who if my analysis is right has simply joined the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (do right me please, somebody, if I’m improper). Salonen, on the finish of the work, rushed as much as her to deservedly give her an enormous hug. There have been different notable visitor appearances on the stage: the chief was Andrew Haveron, a British violinist now resident in Australia, co-concertmaster since 2013 of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and first violinist of the Brodsky Quartet; and Gustav Melander, a really tremendous Swedish trumpet participant, who was most likely probably the most dissatisfied particular person within the corridor to not be taking part in for Blomstedt. Melander is principal trumpet with the Bergen Philharmonic.
The faultless brass part thrilled us in each motion. The muted violas, led by the indefatigable Scott Dickinson, mightily impressed of their uncovered part of the sluggish motion, when all the opposite strings play pizzicato. On the curtain name, Salonen rightly acquired them to rise proper after the principal horn.
The looking Scherzo was as bracing correctly, and Salonen stuffed the ultimate motion with immense grandeur. I heard Blomstedt in Bruckner on the Tonhalle in Zurich in 2022 (evaluation right here) with the Fifth Symphony and that great efficiency will now reside lengthy in my reminiscence, as I concern we could not now have the fortune to see and listen to Blomstedt in London once more. Salonen and the Fourth, nevertheless, made for a really tremendous substitute.
John Rhodes
