Page 249 - Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Coverage Book 2023-24

12 April 2024

Johan Dalene excels in Nielsen's Violin Concerto

with the RLPO

By Peter Connors, 12 April 2024

The outstanding star of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s latest concert was
their Young Artist in Residence, Johan Dalene, who played Carl Nielsen’s Violin
Concerto with astonishing flair and musicality. In this concerto the composer aimed to
combine musical substance with solo virtuosity and that is exactly what Dalene, the
orchestra and conductor Andrew Manze gave us. It was in turn serious, light, dramatic or
playful and often played with our expectations.

Johan Dalene
© Mats Bäcker

The focus was on the soloist throughout. Indeed Dalene had hardly a moment’s rest. After
an arresting opening chord from the orchestra, his solo, with a gentle accompaniment,
gripped the audience. There followed lyrical and dramatic episodes and a stunning