Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra, Gemma Rosefield (cello) Barry Wordsworth (conductor)

Once again the maestro brought his empathy with dance to the concert hall. Although Elgar’s rarely heard ballet score ‘The Sanguine Fan’ is based on a rather bitter story, it was quite delightful, almost light music.

When Gemma Rosefield played Tchaikovsky’s ‘Variations on a Rococo Theme’ she evoked his genius in ballet. She brought the music to life in a playful, spontaneous way on a cello once owned by the Prince Regent.

The spirited performance of Schubert’s Great C Major Symphony came with plenty of drama but also a lightness of touch, the second movement in particular seemed to dance.

Dome Concert Hall, 8 November 2015

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