Interact & Reviews / Reviews

The Beethoven was a very positive surprise. In Runnicles' hands, it had great wit, life and sparkle. Das Lied von der Erde is a major challenge for any singer. To project over a sizeable orchestra which in no way could be described as accompaniment is astonishingly difficult. Karen Cargill was quite excellent, delivering a passionate performance of superbly varying colours, and I will actively seek opportunities to hear her again, presuming she has not actually (as one reviewer suggests) 'joined the ranks of Janet Baker and Kathleen Ferrier.'

The comments of those reviewers who listened to the transmitted version make me think that its balance was quite different from the live performance I attended - and I wasn't at the back either. Botha was barely audible for large portions. It is tempting to lay this at Runnicle's door, but he coached such an exciting performance from the orchestra, I would have been reluctant to see him hold them back. With Botha's Wagnerian recording pedigree, it is difficult to believe that he could not better this performance. It is an enormous tribute to the quality of orchestra, conductor and Cargill that this pretty fundamental problem only marginally diminished my enjoyment of the Prom as a whole.

Martin August
I only caught the Beethoven (on TV) and it was very good - I'll look forward to more concerts with this orchestra and conductor.

Howard Kane
I only caught this Prom on the afternoon repeat and had to stop the car to listen to the Mahler. It was the vision of the composer which seemed to be made sound without any distortion or distraction from the performers. Incredible music making of honesty and integrity. My Prom highlight so far.

Extraordinary clarity - each song was chamber music intimacy performed with love and sensibility.

Barry Marsh
If I was stunned by the television broadcast, what must it have been like in the Royal Albert Hall! There was delicate playing in the Beethoven, the orchestra capturing afresh the composer's confidence in life. 'Das Lied', by contrast, is shot through with shades of shifting colours that cannot help but draw the listener into a world of despair yet, utltimately, of hope. Karen Cargill has joined the ranks of Janet Baker and Kathleen Ferrier tonight, wonderfully supported by Johan Botha, and the deeply sensitive conducting of Donald Runnicles.