Page 185 - Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Coverage Book 2023-24
P. 185
Dances’ but whatever the reason there is little in common between the two.
Bernstein does, however, turn what was originally a rather smaller-scale
orchestral (or small band) work into something vastly symphonic. The sheer
size of it is impressively huge, especially percussion wise. Here Domingo
Hindoyan gave an electrifying account, the scope of it superbly Latin (hardly
surprising given his South American heritage). But there was no lack of melody
either, with strings soaring with an unrestrained passion, and a sweetness in
the music, not in the slightest cloying, but bending in a kind of emotionally
touching way.
The RLPO were a brutally effective set of Sharks and Jets – with spellbinding
brass and percussion as dark as they were superbly violent. It was thoroughly
enjoyable.
As I have often written in my Proms reviews this year, London critics simply
don’t get out of the city often enough. The wonderful quality of this one, was just
one reminder of the first-rate quality of British orchestras around the country.
London critics might try, I suppose, to get around to hearing more of these
orchestras rather than at their own usual annual visit to the Proms each year.
Marc Bridle
