Page 65 - Coverage Book_Aurora Orchestra Autumn 2020

This gestalt playing was also evident all through the symphony: the opening

movement saw some elegant contrasting of light and shade between
the poco sostenuto and vivace sections that brought a ‘living in the
moment’ quality equally to the rumbustious big tunes and the delicate
woodwind interplay. The gradual ebb and flow of the second movement’s

musical material through the insistent throbbing pulse was masterfully
handled, and the moments of astonishing quietness were deftly contrasted
with solid but controlled statements from winds and timps. The last
movement’s shotgun start marked the beginning of an almost unflagging

gallop to the finish line, driven by the inexorable dotted ‘ten to ten’ rhythm,
the final furlongs of which were a textbook exercise in organised
th
chaos. This is how to celebrate Beethoven’s 250 anniversary!
The concert is available on BBC iPlayer for the next 11 months.