FESTIVAL – Oh To Believe in Another World – BPO, Simon Blendis (leader), Joanna MacGregor (conductor)

Shostakovich’s 10th Symphony will fill the Albert Hall, so it’s no surprise that the Dome was crammed to the rafters. Throughout the 2026 season the Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra has been ramping up its ambition and quality and for this exceptional concert was on top form. I was surprised to note that it was not quite the usual band. Many of the soloists were not regulars. It takes a special skill and virtuosity to be a successful guest player, like Simon Blendis the leader, so it was still recognisably our esteemed BPO. They all managed to keep up with Maestra MacGregor’s enthusiastic drive and generate that particular Russian energy which was needed for this performance. As usual, the richness of the strings gave an excellent foundation to the general sound. All the important solo passages shone, in particular the bassoon of Jonathan Price and Clare Hoskins’ cor anglais. In this work there are moments of great delicacy that BPO managed so well. As you would expect, the brass were at their best in the violent sections and the woodwind kept up with them adding an exciting shrillness to the mix.

Oh To Believe in Another World

Displayed above the orchestra was William Kentridge animated film Oh To Believe in Another World. I was not keen, for all its expensive production values, layers of meaning and hype. I found the many slogans random, the animation puerile and the symbolism inconsequential. For me and quite a few BPO regulars it was unconvincing, a distraction from the music rather than a compliment. However, it seems it attracted many of that crowd who filled the Dome to enjoy Shostakovich, so it did good service. Dr Kentridge won’t be harmed if I avoid his work. I could shut my eyes and just enjoy the excellent orchestral performance.

Andrew Connal
Brighton Dome
17 May 2026

Rating:

William Kentridge – director
Joanna MacGregor – conductor
Simon Blendis – leader
Kim Gunning – video operator
Janus Fouché, Žana Marović – editors
Greta Goiris – costume & puppet designer
Sabine Theunissen – set & model designer
Duško Marović – cinematographer

Programme:
Shostakovich – Symphony no. 10