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Tamestit's Viola Magic Meets Walton's Neglected Gem
13 Dec
Summary
- Musgrave's 'Phoenix Rising' features a dramatic timpanist vs. hornist duel.
- Antoine Tamestit captivated with expressive playing in Walton's Viola Concerto.
- Vaughan Williams' 'A London Symphony' offered an impressionistic city portrait.
Conductor Antonio Pappano championed British composers with the London Symphony Orchestra in a concert highlighting Thea Musgrave, William Walton, and Vaughan Williams. Musgrave's "Phoenix Rising," a 1997 work, presented a dynamic interplay between percussion and brass sections, with Pappano and the orchestra bringing its unique harmonies to life.
Soloist Antoine Tamestit delivered a masterful rendition of Walton's Viola Concerto, a piece known for its lyrical charm and hints of sardonic humor. Tamestit's expressive playing particularly shone in the concerto's romantic and tender finale, casting a soulful spell over the audience.
The program concluded with Vaughan Williams' "A London Symphony." Pappano emphasized the work's impressionistic qualities, drawing parallels to Debussy and Respighi. The performance captured the city's bustling energy and poignant atmosphere, culminating in a stirring rendition of the symphony's grand finale.
