A triumphant celebration of life in spite of grief
Johannes Brahms’ A German Requiem, Op. 45, prefaced by Lili Boulanger’s Psalm 24, graced the Bridgewater Hall this weekend. The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra – conducted by Anja Bihlmaier and joined by the Audi Jugendchorakademie (Audi Young Persons’ Choral Academy) – hosted a delightful evening of choral classical music.
The evening’s programme began with Lili Boulanger’s Psalm 24, one of three Psalms she set in French translation. The piece, though short in length, is mighty in scale, boasting powerful brass and chorus alongside the sonically striking organ. I felt the choice to have a Boulanger piece performed by a youth chorus was an apt celebration of their youthful talent and potential; Boulanger garnered significant musical achievements during her lifetime, dying at only 24.
Psalm 24 should have been adhered to as a work intended for solo tenor, as the solo baritone selected for this performance was straining to reach the higher notes. This was a disservice to the soloist, as he was intentionally placed out of his range. When singing together, however, the chorus created a tangible sense of awe.
The main piece of the evening was Johannes Brahms’ A German Requiem, Op. 45, a large-scale work for chorus, orchestra, soprano and baritone soloists. Contemplative yet grand, the orchestra and chorus handled the light and shade of the piece deftly to create a bright, hopeful atmosphere. The piece did justice to Brahms’ alternative title, ‘A Human Requiem’, following the very human journey through grief, mortality and deciding to celebrate life.
The brass and woodwind sections were excellent throughout. The horns in particular sounded heavenly and melted into the vocals. I liked that the violins took a back seat for most of the piece, allowing the cellos to shine whilst hopeful flutes carried the lighter, airier sections. Of all the orchestral performances, the harp was perhaps the most impactful. The only issue was that oftentimes it was lost dynamically among the grandeur of the rest of the orchestra. It was wonderful to hear when it had its moments to shine.
The standout performance of the evening was by far soprano Julia Grüter. She was both effortless and poised, delivering a masterclass in tone and control. She delivered her solos with grace and an awe-inspiring voice. Special mention should also go to baritone Joshua Hopkins, who delivered his solos with a powerful and beautifully rich tone. The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra certainly knows how to pick its soloists.
Principal Guest Conductor Anja Bihlmaier has once again guided the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra to greatness. She is as engaging to watch as the music is to hear, embodying the music with great care and passion.
One qualm I had with this evening’s performance was that the chorus did not feel entirely united. The consonants at the beginnings of phrases sounded as if in canon rather than attacking the beat. However, as a youth chorus aged between 16 and 27, this is a group of singers who no doubt have their best years ahead of them, despite already being exceptionally talented.
Ultimately, this evening’s performance was of the excellent standard we expect from such a prestigious orchestra, and a testament to two great composers.
Brahms Requiem was performed for one night only on Friday 25 September at Bridgewater Hall, Manchester.