On the surface, Beethoven's Violin Concerto, which opened this BBC National Orchestra of Wales concert at Hoddinott Hall in Cardiff, might have seemed unremarkable. Soloist Veronika Eberle quickly proved otherwise. Her playing was distinguished from the outset by a sweet, pure tone, clarity of line, and an almost reverential approach devoid of any bombast. The rapport with conductor Alexandre Bloch was implicit, and in the deeply reflective central Larghetto, the music was imbued with serenity.
New Cadenzas Transform a Classic
What made this performance wholly distinctive was Eberle's use of new cadenzas in all three movements, boldly commissioned from her fellow German composer Jörg Widmann. Widmann achieved a balance between expected virtuosity and a highly imaginative, improvisatory feel, with references to key Beethoven motifs tightly embedded. Moreover, bringing first the timpanist and then the principal double bass to collaborate with the soloist added further dynamic elements. Tom Aldren, leading the orchestra in this work, also duetted with Eberle. These interventions, verging on the subversive and extending an already long concerto, could have been bothersome, but overall the sheer bravado and vibrancy made for riveting listening.
Orchestral Virtuosity in Benjamin's Concerto
The BBCNOW players displayed considerable virtuosity and had their own moments in the limelight in George Benjamin's Concerto for Orchestra. This heartfelt tribute to the genius of Benjamin's close friend and collaborator, the late Oliver Knussen, is an 18-minute piece originally written for the Mahler Chamber Orchestra. However, there was no compromise on technical brilliance here. The ear was beguiled by the finesse and intricacies of the textures, particularly in woodwind and brass, with the unusual prominence of solo lines for tuba, two timpanists, and finally the first violins offering teasing, playful elements in the spirit of the inimitable Knussen.
Strauss's Death and Transfiguration
Richard Strauss's tone poem Tod und Verklärung (Death and Transfiguration) brought the evening to a thrilling climax. Bloch, whose energetic conducting style embraces expressive detail and warmly expansive gestures, inspired a performance that was both sensuous and sumptuous, underlining the remarkable vision of the 25-year-old Strauss. It crowned a fine night for timpanist Steven Barnard, with all players clearly in their element. The concert will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 on 29 June.
