BBCNOW's latest performance under conductor Ryan Bancroft is a captivating exploration of sound, weaving together intriguing connections and emotional depth with a deft hand. The show's central piece, Exquisite Corpse by Anders Hillborg, serves as a fascinating amalgamation of disparate influences, incorporating nods to the likes of Stravinsky, Ligeti, and Sibelius while still bearing the unmistakable imprint of its composer.
As the music unfolded, Hillborg's masterful brushstrokes painted a vivid tapestry of instrumental colors – from delicate harmonies to crushing bass lines, and from percussive blasts to shrill piccolo outbursts. The performance was nothing short of breathtaking, with each layer revealing itself in brilliant detail as the music ebbed and flowed.
One particularly striking link between Hillborg's Exquisite Corpse and the Sibelius suite, Lemminkäinen Suite Op 22, is the theme of transformation and renewal. The shamanic hero Lemminkäinen is killed and dismembered, only to be restored to life by his mother, and this poignant narrative arc is mirrored in the music. Conductor Bancroft brought a deep understanding of drama and storytelling to the piece, balancing narrative tension with the elemental power of Sibelius' score.
The evening's most intense moment came when Alban Gerhardt took the stage as soloist for Shostakovich's Cello Concerto No 2 Op 126. In his hands, the music spoke of a haunting melancholy, its beauty tempered by the composer's bitter wit. The A-string passages shone with precision and feeling, while the Allegretto movement brought a darkly comedic bite to the proceedings.
As Gerhardt joined the cello section for Sibelius' suite, it was as if he'd simply "joined in" – a heartwarming moment of camaraderie that underscored the evening's themes of unity and transformation. The result was a performance that was both a masterclass in sound design and a deeply moving exploration of the human experience.
As the music unfolded, Hillborg's masterful brushstrokes painted a vivid tapestry of instrumental colors – from delicate harmonies to crushing bass lines, and from percussive blasts to shrill piccolo outbursts. The performance was nothing short of breathtaking, with each layer revealing itself in brilliant detail as the music ebbed and flowed.
One particularly striking link between Hillborg's Exquisite Corpse and the Sibelius suite, Lemminkäinen Suite Op 22, is the theme of transformation and renewal. The shamanic hero Lemminkäinen is killed and dismembered, only to be restored to life by his mother, and this poignant narrative arc is mirrored in the music. Conductor Bancroft brought a deep understanding of drama and storytelling to the piece, balancing narrative tension with the elemental power of Sibelius' score.
The evening's most intense moment came when Alban Gerhardt took the stage as soloist for Shostakovich's Cello Concerto No 2 Op 126. In his hands, the music spoke of a haunting melancholy, its beauty tempered by the composer's bitter wit. The A-string passages shone with precision and feeling, while the Allegretto movement brought a darkly comedic bite to the proceedings.
As Gerhardt joined the cello section for Sibelius' suite, it was as if he'd simply "joined in" – a heartwarming moment of camaraderie that underscored the evening's themes of unity and transformation. The result was a performance that was both a masterclass in sound design and a deeply moving exploration of the human experience.
I swear, it's like they're speaking directly to your soul through music! The way Alban Gerhardt played those cello passages? Melted my heart into a puddle of emotions right there in the audience 
And don't even get me started on the orchestra – it was like a perfectly balanced recipe of sounds that just worked, you know? Like they knew exactly what notes to play and when to make it all come together. I was literally on the edge of my seat, feeling every single emotion the music threw at me 
And what really got me was how the conductor brought it all together – like a masterful puzzle solver, making sense of all those different threads and turning them into something beautiful 
Ryan Bancroft, you're a genius, mate!
I just caught up on this review and OMG, I'm blown away by how much I missed out! 
The way the conductor brought out the emotional depth of Sibelius' score was so hauntingly beautiful 
. And that cello concerto... Alban Gerhardt's performance gave me chills 
. It's crazy how a single musician can elevate an entire orchestra with their skill and passion 
. Can anyone tell me where I can listen to the full concert online? 
those moments of unity are just the best, you feel like you're experiencing something truly special. I need to listen to this again ASAP 
.
and the way Alban Gerhardt shone on cello in Shostakovich's Cello Concerto No 2 Op 126 was absolute PERFECTION 
And Alban Gerhardt as soloist in Shostakovich's Cello Concerto No 2 Op 126? Mind. Blown 
What I loved most tho was how all the pieces seemed to come together for this beautiful theme of transformation & renewal - so symbolic with Sibelius' Lemminkäinen Suite Op 22! 