John Wilson and the Sinfonia of London delivered a performance of extremes at the Glasshouse in Gateshead, marking the orchestra's first concert as an artistic partner of the venue. The programme opened with Strauss's Don Juan, a burst of symphonic energy that showcased the orchestra's polished precision, from a honeyed oboe solo to a snarling timpani.
Elgar's Enigma Variations received a treatment that balanced hushed intimacy with full-throttle intensity. The Nimrod variation began so quietly that the packed hall seemed to stop breathing, while other variations were taken at breakneck speed, with Wilson pushing the limits of his well-oiled orchestral machine. The final climax saw Wilson spin to face the audience as he landed the vast conclusion.
Between the two orchestral works, soloist Alexandre Kantorow took the stage for Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No 3. His playing ranged from crisply intricate to abrasively angular, skimming the keyboard with an impossibly even touch. Wilson's conducting in the concerto was less assertive, but the ending showcased his formidable instinct for musical momentum.
