BBC Symphony Orchestra, Veronika Eberle (violin), James Gaffigan (conductor)

A big ‘Thank you’ to James Gaffigan and the BBC SO for introducing Hartmann’s enigmatic ‘Adagio’ to Brighton. Only fifteen minutes long, still it is a work of stature and fascination. The orchestra easily met its extraordinary selection of challenges. Back on familiar territory, Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto was well-considered and richly-coloured. Although Eberle’s Stradivarius violin seemed under-powered, the audience loved her.

Under Gaffigan’s masterly baton the orchestra excelled again in Brahms’s 4th Symphony, ever my favourite. This was a deluxe performance of a great work by a sterling orchestra and a most impressive conductor. Please come back to Brighton soon!

Concert Hall, Brighton Dome, 14 May 2013
Rating:
Andrew Connal