“Mutter glides through it like a saunter in the park on a spring day”
The evening is called Anne-Sophie Mutter plays Tchaikovsky, but the London Philharmonic Orchestra was ready for more.
Jean Sibelius composed the first piece. 12 minutes long, Pohjola’s Daughter was written in 1905-06 and took its inspiration from an ancient Finnish legend. It’s a musical poem, almost a film score as it tells its tale. At times there’s Psycho, at others Jaws. Dangerous and perilous, then calm and seductive. I found this music amusing, entrancing and beautiful.
Jean Sibelius (1865-1957)
Next, the star soloist. World-renowned violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter swept on to the sombre stage, announcing her arrival wearing a radiant sky blue evening dress. You know she has arrived! 34 minutes later, everyone is amazed. Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto from 1878 is a showpiece for orchestra and solo instrument. Mutter glides through it like a saunter in the park on a spring day. Her encore was a short excerpt from Andre Previn’s Tango Song and Dance, a short suite written for and dedicated to Mutter herself.
Anne-Sophie Mutter © Japan Arts
After the interval, Beethoven. Symphony No.7 in A Major, composed in 1811-22. This 36 minute Symphony is one of the most popular, specifically for its instantly recognisable third movement. Personally, when I’ve heard it I’ve found it slow and ponderous. Not here! It’s attacked and positively forced through to its conclusion by the amazing Conductor of the evening’s selection, American Karina Canellakis. Slight in build she has an enormous presence at the podium. During Sibelius, she was tentative. With Mutter, she was guiding and motherly. But in the Beethoven she was intoxicating and mesmerising, almost dancing as she led the orchestra through the joyous movements.
Karina Canellakis © Chris Christodoulou
Another superb evening courtesy of the London Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall.
The London Philharmonic Orchestra has a vast range of events at various venues around the country. Check out their website for details – https://lpo.org.uk/whats-on/ .
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This concert was a real treat on a rare visit to London. The very first LP I ever bought (sometime in the 1970s) had the Mendelssohn and Tchaikovsky violin concertos, which I’ve loved ever since, but this was the first time I’d heard the Tchaikovsky live in person. The engaging Anne-Sophie Mutter did not disappoint. Nor did the Beethoven. I hadn’t come across conductor Karina Canellakis before, but the range of volume and tone she drew from the orchestra was fantastic, especially the quietest moments when I thought ‘how are they playing so quietly but I can still hear them?’ I shall cherish the memories of this concert. I clapped so much at the end that my Fitbit said ‘bike detected’!