Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 22 November, 2023.

5*****: David Gray & Paul Gray.

Wagner – Siegfried Idyl

Mendelssohn – Violin Concerto

Clara Schumann – Three Romances (arr. Rofe)

Brahms - Symphony No. 4

This War of the Romantics programme felt kind of a bit one-sided. Dominated by works from leading musical conservatives - Brahms and Clara Schumann – and, the less-conservative Felix Mendelssohn - this stunning concert kicked-off with one of the few small-scale, free-standing works by (some say) Brahms’s nemesis, the "radical progressive”, Richard Wagner.

The Siegfried Idyll has an attractive and, in terms of its story, highly romantic origin. Written as a gift for his soon-to-be wife, Cosima (shortly after the birth of their first child!) Wagner drew together a small-band of musicians to perform it on the stairs of their (very large!) house, Wahnfried, on the morning of her birthday. It is an exceptionally tender piece of music.

Conductor, Daniele Rustioni’s reading had a breathless, tentative quality in the opening section; wonderfully suggestive of the uncertain yearnings of young love. Growing in confidence, the performance became perhaps a little four-square, even march-like at times, towards the impassioned climax, before dying back to a tremulous conclusion: so very Wagner.

The total rapport between Rustioni and violin soloist, Fancesca Dego, was apparent, even if you did not know they are a wife and husband team. Their performance of the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto was totally synergised; dynamically well balanced, with an attentive interplay between orchestra and soloist throughout.

Dego phrased with intelligence and expression. This was particularly apparent in the opening melody, where she pointed phrases within the overarching melody to highlight thematic elements which become significant later in the movement. In a similar way, she breathed through the sweeping melody of the slow movement; constantly energising and adding momentum, so the whole thing seemed to float effortlessly over the orchestral texture.

This was an exceptionally fresh and vibrant performance which captured the element of spontaneity and exuberance that lies at the heart of so much of Mendelssohn’s music.

After the interval we were treated to more of Dego’s talent. In lieu of the encore so ardently demanded by the audience, she served us an elegant, lyrical reading of Three Romances by Clara Schumann. They were originally composed for violin and piano. Young and talented Bernard Rofe’s arrangement for orchestra adds colour but never overwhelms the soloist; it maintains an intimate, salon feel.

Brahms and his fellow the conservatives placed great value on musical form and structure, which is not to say that there’s no place for strong, passionate emotions in their compositions. His Symphony No. 4 is a powerful case-in-point. Turbulent passions struggle against the constraints of its formalism. This reading was tempestuous, but never uncontrolled. Rustioni whipped up a storm from the podium and the CBSO responded by playing the hell out of the thing! But always with flawless technique, precise ensemble, and tight unanimity of attack. Just glorious.

The result was one of the most convincing and complete performance of this monumentally powerful work I have ever come across.

Daniele Rustioni – Conductor

Francesca Dego - Violin