Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra of Tokyo, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 23 October 2024, 5☆☆☆☆☆. Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.

Photo Credit: Giorgia Bertazzi.

Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra of Tokyo, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 23 October 2024,

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

“A welcome visit to Birmingham from a fine Japanese orchestra.”

Akira Ifukube – Dance of the Seven Veils, from Salome

Beethoven – Violin Concerto in D major, Op 61

Rachmaninov – Symphony No 2 in E minor, Op 27

It makes sense that a Tokyo based orchestra should take the opportunity of a European tour to showcase the work of a Japanese composer. The Yomiuri Nippon Orchestra opened their Birmingham concert with a Dance of the Seven Veils from Akira Ifukube’s ballet on the subject of Salome.

Sadly, this is not a distinguished piece. The composer seems to envisage the titular Princess divesting herself as she rushes frantically around the dance floor between bouts of languid belly dancing. Suffice to say, had Salome titillated King Herod to this music, the Baptist’s head might have stayed firmly on his shoulders. A disappointing start which did not display what this exceptionally fine orchestra is capable of.

This was left to the second item in the programme, a ravishing and highly accomplished reading of Beethoven’s monumental Violin Concerto. Soloist, Christian Tetzlaff, delivered a remarkably complete performance, playing with exceptionally clean passage work. This was a sensitive, yet powerful interpretation, full of intelligence and character. Tetzlaff seemed to fully inhabit the music. The Larghetto, a movement that can sprawl, was expertly sculpted by conductor, Sebastian Weigle, with spellbinding a result.

Although the band was perhaps on the large side for Beethoven, the balance between soloist and orchestra was never less than perfect, and the sense of ensemble completely convincing. This was the case even during spine-tingling pianissimo violin passages which the orchestra underscored with gossamer lightness. This may well be one of the finest performance of this work I have ever heard.

Rachmaninov’s Second Symphony gave the orchestra a chance to play to its significant strengths. The strings maintained a rich, glossy tone throughout. There was particularly expansive and well-shaped phrasing during the opening movement. Bold brass work delivered drama and Weigle whipped up a tempestuous mood.

What was striking about the playing through this work was the tightness of the ensemble. This went beyond unanimity of attack and good blending. Orchestra and conductor seemed to completely share a vision of the work, so that Rachmaninov’s restless, surging music flowed with a muscular fluidity like a force of nature.

This really is an exceptionally fine ensemble, and it is much to be hoped that it is not another 30 years before they return to Birmingham again.

Sebastian Weigle – Conductor

Christian Tetzlaff - Violin