BPO – Belshazzar’s Feast; Enigma Variations – Cody Quattlebaum (baritone), Ben Gernon (conductor)
What a feast of English music! Everyone knows Elgar’s Enigma Variations, but that usually means we just recognise variation No. 9 Nimrod, one of our alternative National Anthems, played at solemn occasions, by brass bands at the Cenotaph and in Hans Zimmer’s elongated version for the 2017 film Dunkirk. However, there’s a full half-hour more to the complete work with all kinds of delicacy: the rich, swooning strings led by Igor Yuzefovich (guest Leader); and solo opportunities that were beautifully delivered, in particular by Caroline Harrison (viola), Peter Adams (cello), James Gilbert (clarinet) and Graham Riley (timpani). Ben Gernon’s nuanced interpretation kept the Dome’s capacity audience enthralled. I expected a flutter of applause after the stirring climax that ends Nimrod, but no, the enchantment held through the silences after each variation to the very last chord, after which the applause was tremendous.
BPO – Ben Gernon – credit: Chloe-Hashemi
The press release for Belshazzar’s Feast “wicked, raucous and outrageously opulent” was a tad misleading because the Brighton Festival Chorus was on top form for diction, expression and attention to detail. 95 years ago Walton’s orchestration was certainly outrageous and glorious. He wanted ‘more’. Now that press release also promised two brass bands. In April 1968, rehearsing for the first ever BFC concert, Sir William spent so much time bullying them into shape that Lady Walton was worried for his health. This year the BPO regular brass section did splendidly all on their own, and they had a lot to do. Walton’s demands on the orchestra are extreme and the BPO responded heroically – and on that note we come to the leonine baritone soloist.
BPO – Cody Quattlebaum – credit: Chloe Hashemi
Cody Quattlebaum sat glowering at the audience until he rose to address the hall in truly majestic tones that carried to the very back of the auditorium. He clearly relished this role and we had no difficulty enjoying it with him. Gernon drove the music on through its Bacchanal, its weird crisis and on into the frantic, jubilant climax, where 57 years ago Walton had asked the split chorus to combine to sing continuously and make even more sound, while he froze, his arms clutched across his breast, giving barely a twitch of a beat until the final Alleluia. It’s meant to overwhelm, and this time too it did! The BFC was short of men, and the tenor sound was thinner than usual but the vigour and precision was well up to standard. Great attention was given to Walton’s extreme dynamics, although the abrupt shout ‘SLAIN’, a stark theatrical moment and the crux of the work, was underplayed. No doubt they were saving something for the extended jubilations that followed. Their enthusiasm was definitely shared by the very satisfied and excited audience.
Brighton Dome Concert Hall,
9 February 2025
Andrew Connal
Rating:
Elgar – Enigma Variations
Walton – Belshazzar’s Feast
