Concerto

Back in 2017, I wrote ‘it goes everywhere!… I’d love to hear it live!’

I was referring to my 30+ year resonance with Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto.

concert (n.)
agreement of two or more in design or plan; accord, harmony… bring into agreement.

Well, I have finally been and had the experience! My first classical music concert, AND Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, performed by Karen Gomyo and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, at the Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent. 

What can I say? A captivating performance by all! Well done all! Of course, Karen Gomyo’s violinic gymnastics were amazing.

For me, this piece has always been about the protagonists, that is, the violins and flutes, but seeing it and hearing it live, you get a sense of the other players (and non-players*). For me, all of the wind instruments stood out in an accompanying role. Specifically the oboe, clarinet, and bassoon, really played their parts and were noticeable as important elements in the composition. Of course, the French horns and other brass were triumphant also!

We all know it’s hard to put the experience of hearing and seeing (and hence feeling) live music into words. TVC was followed by Sibelius’ Swan of Tuonela; Wow! a different aesthetic.

As I ended my Desert Island Discs feature back in 2017;

“Music is really important… I always say to my kids music is a bit like food. You can have your sausage, burgers, and chips, and that’s fine. But there’s a lot more food out there, there’s food from other countries, there’s rich food, and music is a lot more than … Yeah, there are nice burgers, but there’s other stuff out there like TVC, like old stuff from Nina Simone, stuff from other countries… have a listen to Radio 6… and listen to Radio Three’s Late Junction.” 

You can hear my 2017 Desert Island Discs, and ‘the bit where the solo violin “goes off on one’… here:

Non-players* “there are some not in the spotlight, who should definitely be applauded” How do you move an orchestra: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p073cxtv