“A uniquely varied evening of classical music, with a little something for everyone”
Opening with Weinberg’s Rhapsody on Moladavian Themes is a bold choice but one that fits wonderfully with what is to come, providing us with . The swelling, almost arabesque, runs on strings and wind give way at intervals to the bombastic brass and percussion sections, winding back and forth effortlessly. As always the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra perform seamlessly together, a well oiled machine sliding through the movements with ease. This may only be a short piece – not much longer than twelve minutes – but serves as an excellent start to the evening’s entertainment.
Next comes a suite of pieces by Shostakovich, including the renowned Waltz no.2, which serves to underline the variety of the pieces performed tonight: not only are there distinctions drawn between the different works but also within the pieces themselves – intra-textually, if you will. With various dances, waltzes and a polka, the Suite for a Variety Orchestra is an excellent opportunity for the orchestra to demonstrate their versatility. Conductor Vasily Petrenko is a delight to watch work throughout, but outdoes himself with lively, performative flourishes and a degree of comfort and lightheartedness that truly invites the audience to involve themselves in the music. The varied and irreverent Suite, as with all of tonight’s pieces, lilts back and forth between the sedate, if forceful, dances and waltzes, and the strident, vivacious Polka and Finale and will keep anyone not familiar with the tunes guessing the whole time.
Lastly is the longest piece of the evening in Tchaikovsky’s Symphony no.4, comprised of four distinct movements. This second half also features the largest selection of instruments of any tonight and you can really tell. There are soft, mellifluous runs, yes – especially throughout the second movement Andantino in modo di canzona – but these are interspersed with walls of sound almost reminiscent of sections from Weinberg earlier. The force of the extra instruments does not go unappreciated however, and results in these sections forming the musical equivalent of a gut-punch: immediately attention-grabbing and astounding. Personally, I find some of these movements can begin to feel somewhat repetitive, featuring similar melodies again and again. When they are so competently performed, however, there is almost a unique joy in the repetition, the minute inflections keeping attention the whole time.
This evening of evening music truly is a unique collection and display of variety in classical music and, as always, a phenomenal display of the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s capability and competence.