Mozart & Bruckner (8th Symphony) – Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra, Martin Owen (horn), Stephen Bell

After we had applauded the wrong horn player, Martin Owen kept the fun going by shamelessly stooping to play his pianissimos to the front of the stalls, teasing us with silences in the cadenza, and making the most of the ‘Flanders & Swann’ last movement.

Then came Bruckner’s longest symphony, ‘The Apocalyptic’. It surged on and on in its heavenly way and you didn’t want it to stop. The whole ensemble was splendid, Wagner tubas and all. Stephen Bell paced the BPO brilliantly. I was exhausted by the end. How did they manage the energy for that final, thrilling climax?

Concert Hall, Brighton Dome
27 November 2011

Rating:
Andrew Connal