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Bridgewater Hall Celebrates 30 Years With Musical Gem
25 Sep
Summary
- James MacMillan's new symphony marks a fresh direction.
- The concert celebrated 30 years of Manchester's Bridgewater Hall.
- Stephen Hough delivered an exhilarating performance of 'Emperor'.
The Bridgewater Hall in Manchester celebrated its 30th anniversary with a notable concert by the Hallé orchestra, led by principal conductor Kahchun Wong. The event featured the premiere of James MacMillan's sixth symphony, which signals a departure from his previous works and is characterized by its complex structure, drawing inspiration from family and other composers.
The symphony's movements explore diverse textures, from pastoral flute melodies and muted brass to a cello solo and a Debussyean harp and piano duet. Despite challenging passages, the performance conveyed a sense of optimistic progression.
The concert was framed by two battle-themed pieces: Liszt's 'Les Préludes' and Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5, the 'Emperor'. Soloist Stephen Hough gave a robust and spirited performance of the concerto, engaging in a dynamic exchange with Wong and the orchestra, culminating in an energetic finale.
