Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra, Robert Cohen (’cello), Barry Wordsworth (conductor)

On a wet afternoon, a Cornish headland could have proved a bleak venue, but not when depicted by the BPO. The full Dome felt warm and snug as the music took us in comfort to Bax’s Tintagel and Vaughan-William’s Norfolk coast.

However, folk had come to enjoy Robert Cohen in Elgar’s ’cello concerto and we were not disappointed. Such a fine, generous performance generated a strong emotional response in the audience, and very long applause.

Dvorak’s Eighth Symphony made a delightful second half, transporting us to Bohemian meadows and some distant summer, the sun supplied by the BPO’s red-hot brass.

Concert Hall, Brighton Dome, 4 March 2012
Rating:
Andrew Connal