Interact & Reviews / Reviews

Joseph McNulty
A wonderful performance of the greatest violin concerto of them all - worthwhile attending just for that one piece!

gregory.stevens@bbc.co.uk
This was a great concert.

Watched on television - a really wonderful performance of the Beethoven, one of the best I've ever heard. Before the concert one of the presenters mentioned that at the rehearsal the orchestra had held back but there was no sign of this at the performance itself - straight, direct and strong orchestra with a soloist who seemed to have taken in all aspects of the work. Often violinists stress the lyricism at the expense of the structure and strength - not so this time!

Laura Wright
Znaider was absolutely amazing. A lot of soloists tend to force their way through this concerto, but he stood back with great sensitivity and really allowed Beethoven to shine through. Most impressive was his beautiful tone, and I thought that his tempi were just right. The orchestra were so committed, and played with such passion and conviction. The last movement of the Sibelius in particular was absolutely breathtaking. I enjoyed every single second of the concert.

Ian Florance
After last year's extraordinary Sibelius 2 under Janssons I really wondered about coming to this lest it be a let down. I'm so glad we decided to come ... The Beethoven was held-in, intellectual, very slow (I thought) and precise.

Excellent, but what was extraordinary was the change in conducting style, approach and energy in the Sibelius. How wonderful to see such obvious enthusiasm in an orchestra which also reacted to the conductor's shaping of phrases and rhythmic 'prodding'. The Finale was extraordinarily exciting both for the music - it was fascinating all the way through to hear not just the Sibelian strings but also the marvellous writing for woodwind and brass - and for the movement. I think all double basses should stand up in future! At times they looked like a rock band playing their most danceable number.

A better argument for seeing music made as well as listening to it I can't imagine. Two great performances of the same work in two years. And after the Vaughan Williams/Davis evening (absolutely magical) and a riveting Verdi Requiem, it seems this season is saving the best till last ...

Rachel Roberts
I thought that Znaider's performance of the Beethoven was spot on. His tempi were just right, his phrasing gave something quite unique to the architecture of the work, and his tone was absolutely stunning. Whilst this may not have been a note-perfect performance, it was certainly something magical in the moment. My only complaint is that Znaider did not perform an encore!!

The orchestra provided a wonderfully sensitive accompaniment, and their maturity and understanding really shone through in the Sibelius. I would like to thank all of the musicians involved for such a brilliant concert.