Vasily Petrenko & the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – Symphony Hall, Birmingham 29 March 2025, 5☆☆☆☆☆: David Gray & Paul Gray.

Vasily Petrenko & the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – Symphony Hall, Birmingham 29 March 2025,

5☆☆☆☆☆: David Gray & Paul Gray.

“Thrilling readings of Tchaikovsky & Bruch and a dazzling orchestral showcase from Prokofiev.”

Conductor, Vasily Petrenko, got the evening of to a thrilling start with a deeply romantic and highly dramatic performance of Tchaikovsky’s evergreen Romeo & Juliet Fantasy Overture. Clockwork unanimity of attack, and with rich warm tones from the woodwind in the opening bars set the standard for what was to be a truly superb performance.

Strings played with incisiveness and precision during the more tempestuous moments and dripping lushness during the more lyrical passages. There was some lovely rich sonority from the lower strings and commanding brass work. Petrenko created marked contrasts of mood to articulate the narrative threat that runs so strongly through the work. This really was top-notch stuff.

Another much loved work followed. Violin, Esther Yoo, played with intensity and lots of colour, all underscored with a soaring, powerful and clear-core tone. With some beautiful phrasing, Yoo created the impression of an endless, organic melody during the slow movement. Her passage work was well pointed and positively crystalline.

Petrenko shaped the music with care and intelligence, building to thrilling climaxes and taking us deep into the emotional heart of this emotionally compelling and ultimately very uplifting work.

The popularity of Prokofiev’s Fifth Symphony must surely rest on its impact as a dazzling showcase for orchestra. The RPO met its many challenges fearlessly playing with astounding technical accomplishment and fabulous ensemble.

The inner movements are perhaps more interesting than the outer. The Allegro Marcato was given a restless, driving impetus. Complex cross-rhythms lend the opening of the Adagio an almost psychedelic quality. Clearer shapes emerge from this, but a dreamlike feeling persists. Petrenko invested the movement with a wonderfully woozy feel but managed somehow to do this without sacrificing precision and clarity.

The orchestra delivered huge dynamic contrast to dramatic effect. The first movement was given a deafening ending. And the conclusion of the Allegro raised the roof. The evening treated us to a really very excellent orchestra playing at the top of its game.

Vasily Petrenko – Conductor

Esther Yoo - Violin