Kazuki Conducts Walton & Elgar, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Wednesday 04 December 2024, 5☆☆☆☆☆. Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.

Kazuki Conducts Walton & Elgar, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Wednesday 04 December 2024,

5☆☆☆☆☆. Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.

“Contrasting works from two giants of English music.”

Elgar – Violin Concerto

Walton – Orb & Sceptre March

Walton Symphony No. 2

A monumental work in terms of both scale and substance, Elgar’s Violin Concerto occupied the entire first half of a concert of music by this composer, and William Walton. With the orchestra’s Music Director, Kazuki Yamada at the helm and its principle violinist, Eugene Tzikindelean taking the solo part, the performance was complete and integrated in many ways.

To start with, the ensemble between orchestra and violin was generally exceptionally well balanced, with the orchestra only threatening to swamp the violin when the texture was at its most dense. Then there was the very close communication going on between soloist and conductor. Clearly these two musicians had worked closely together to establish a shared vision of the work, which had then been well communicated to the orchestra as a whole.

This resulted in an experience that felt less like a concerto and more like a psychodrama, where the composers struggles and fears were laid bare and explored in a compelling narrative with the soloist as its protagonist. This was particularly true during the Andante where the repeated build and release of dramatic tension was used eloquently to hint the light and shade of a mind in flux.

Soloist, Tzikindelean displayed technical prowess and used an extensive tonal palate, playing with steely brilliance during the outer movements, and warmth during the inner. But more than this, he alternated qualities of vulnerability and strength to great effect. This enabled him to portray the character of the music in a performance that was, despite the scale of the work, essentially very intimate.

Walton’s Orb & Sceptre March formed a nice bridge between the two composers. Obviously, in writing his coronation marches he must have been influenced by Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstances Marches. One cannot help but feel Walton’s tongue placed lightly in his cheek when penning this excessive and swaggering orchestral showcase. Conductor, Kazuki caught the humour of it and the band delivered infectious fun.

Whereas this march has Walton looking fixedly in the rearview mirror at memories of Empire, his Symphony No. 2 shows him at his most determinedly modernist. Listening to the spikily aggressive first movement feels like being trapped in a small room a large and very angry man. Kazuki controlled the flow of colour and ideas around the orchestra perfectly, making sense out of music that could easily sprawl.

The central Lento Assai is quieter on the whole, but maintains an unsettled restless quality. This is a Symphony that just refuses to sit still. The grandiose opening of the final movement gives way to busy counterpoint and stark colouration. It may not be the easiest listen, but the CBSO gave a tight and convincing performance of it.

Kazuki Yamada – Conductor

Eugene Tzikindelean – Violin

Rita Castro Blanco – Assistant Conductor