Kazuki conducts Elgar’s First Symphony, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 14 June 2023, 4**** Paul Gray & David Gray
Howard – The Butterfly Effect * Britten – Serenade for Tenor, Horn & Strings Elgar – Symphony No. 1
Drawing their season to a close, the CBSO offered a concert comprised exclusively of British music, kicking off with one of their Centenary Commissions from Dani Howard. The idea behind her Butterfly Effect is made clear in the title; the effects of a small event can spread to have huge implications.
Here, the small event was an opening gesture in the mid-range strings and wind that spreads through the orchestra and gathers its own momentum. This was an engaging and effective piece, shot through with rhythmic vitality and dance-like energy. The orchestra responded to this effectively, with crisp, at times quite spiky playing. A central, more lyrical section prompted a lusher tone, particularly from the strings, and the work ended with an energetic finale, played with gusto.
Tenor, Ian Bostridge, is firmly established as a leading exponent of Benjamin Britten’s music, and a deep understanding of this composer’s music shone through in his reading of Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings. Here is a singer at the height of his artistry who is capable of immersing himself totally in the performance. It was an intense and concentrated interpretation, rich in detail, layered with colour, and characterised by dramatic detail. Quite spellbinding.
Britten obviously wrote the tenor part for Peter Pears. The horn part was composed for highly distinguished player, Dennis Brain. Britten wrote that he gave the horn passages to Brain to try out. Brain would practice them extensively and only pass back for revision what he found to be quite unplayable. Clearly, then, this is a piece written to test the capability of the instrument and the player to their very limits.
Elspeth Dutch responded to this challenge effectively on the whole, with a rich tone, some nice lyrical playing, and well-articulated passage work. There was real communication with the Tenor. Alas, her performance was diminished by excessive breaking, cracking & fluffing, particularly on, admittedly very difficult, high pianissimo passages. There were also some tuning issues, particularly in the final, solo horn Epilogue. Such a shame, given the consummate artistry of the other performers in this "trio"; including the luscious CBSO strings, under the mesmerizing baton of Kazuki Yamada, who were utterly glorious.
The final work of the evening, Elgar’s 1st Symphony in A flat, is a surging, yearning work. One that is constantly striving and never wants to settle. Conductor, Kazuki Yamada, and his players responded to this with an intensely energized, & at times febrile reading. It was passionate, but never out of control. Even at the symphony’s conclusion, when the whole orchestra seems to break loose in a frenzied outpouring, Kazuki kept a firm hand on the reins. The result was a compelling, stirring and totally involving performance.
A mostly impressive end to an impressive season.
Kazuki Yamada – Conductor * Elspeth Dutch – French Horn * Ian Bostridge - Tenor