Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra, Howard Shelley (conductor/piano)

Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra delivered a nuanced performance of Schubert’s Symphony No.8 (Unfinished), with the warm brushes of brass and wind being deftly balanced with the cellos creating some beautiful moments in a delightful, short curio of a piece.

Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto No.1 meanwhile, a more direct, almost garishly melodic work, was aptly, jubilantly both performed and conducted by Howard Shelley.

Dvořák’s Symphony No.6 on the other hand is larger scale, more grand and perhaps even grandiloquent, but the BPO brought a gorgeous elegiac and airy mood to the third movement, while proving more punchy and vibrant in the fourth. A fiery performance which proved that a pride in one’s national style can sound glorious, as opposed to the generally dastardly and isolationist tone of the current climate.

Brighton Dome Concert Hall, 11 February 2018

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