The iconic Royal Albert Hall bore witness to a truly unforgettable Last Night of the Proms this season, as the John Wilson Orchestra and the Sinfonia of London took to the stage under the electrifying baton of their namesake conductor. The evening was a masterclass in musical precision and passionate performance, leaving the packed audience utterly spellbound.
At the heart of the programme was a stellar collaboration with Canadian violin virtuoso James Ehnes. His performance of Samuel Barber's intensely lyrical Violin Concerto was nothing short of revelatory. Ehnes navigated the concerto's technical demands with effortless grace, his tone soaring with a heart-wrenching beauty in the melancholic second movement before launching into the breathless, perpetual motion of the finale.
A Cinematic Symphony Takes Centre Stage
The second half belonged to Erich Wolfgang Korngold's Symphony in F sharp, a monumental work that Wilson and his forces have championed. The orchestra unleashed the full, Technicolor glory of Korngold's score, a soundscape that vividly echoes his legendary Hollywood film compositions. The performance was a thrilling journey, from its dramatic, swashbuckling opening to its powerfully triumphant conclusion, showcasing the Sinfonia of London's unparalleled ensemble sound.
A Fitting Finale to the BBC Proms Season
True to tradition, the concert culminated in the rousing patriotic favourites. Wilson led the audience through a joyous and communal sing-along of Rule, Britannia!, Land of Hope and Glory, and Jerusalem, with soprano Natalya Romaniw adding her powerful, gleaming voice to the mix. The atmosphere was one of pure, unadulterated celebration, a fitting and emotionally charged conclusion to another magnificent season of the world's greatest classical music festival.
The resounding success of this performance further cements John Wilson's status as one of the most dynamic and insightful conductors of his generation, and proves that the Sinfonia of London is currently one of the finest orchestras on the world stage.
