Britten Sinfonia, Jacqueline Shave (director) Roderick Williams (baritone)

Anton Webern wrote his orchestral arrangements of Schubert’s dances and songs as academic exercises but they were also a labour of love; a love understood by the Britten Sinfonia who were sharing glances and smiling throughout. Without a conductor, they performed as a chamber ensemble, of thirty-eight players all watching intently. In the songs they were the perfect complement to the beautifully expressive baritone of Roderick Williams. It gave a fresh dimension to familiar Schubert and set the mood for Mahler’s Rükert Lieder. These were blissful. I needed Schubert’s 5th Symphony (his cheery homage to Mozart) to bring me back to earth.

Concert Hall, Brighton Dome, 19 May 2012
Rating:
Andrew Connal