Haitink on Cloud Nine

Bernard Haitink's 'Indian Summer' continues to blossom - and if last night's Prom with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra was anything to go by, the harvest is an exceptionally good one.

Featuring works by Wagner and Debussy, this was classic Haitink: core repertoire with which he has long been associated played by the orchestra of which he was principal conductor for 25 illustrious years.  Now their Conductor Laureate, the old magic of the 1970s was rekindled as a packed Royal Albert Hall was treated to a quality of playing and conducting which is now - alas - in short supply in the world of the classical orchestral concert.

Beginning with the Prelude and Good Friday music from 'Parsifal',  Haitink's quiet authority secured playing of exceptional warmth, discipline and dedication from a now young-looking Concertgebouw, whose newer members will have something to tell their grandchildren about. ... (more)

Sir Colin's off night - and the deaf critics

What IS it with music pundits?  Last night I sat through most of what I thought was a pretty dismal TV relay from the Proms  where Sir Colin Davis conducted the European Union Youth Orchestra in a concert of Brahms and Sibelius. The so-called experts who are always wheeled on for these occasions thought it was wonderful - for anyone with a pair of serviceable ears it wasn't.

After a messy account of the 'Tragic' Overture, replete with hurried introduction, slack development and frenzied coda the performance of Brahms' Third Symphony ran aground at the outset.  Caught between Sir Colin's vague conducting and the bathroom acoustic of the Royal Albert Hall the poor kids got into a panic and all started playing at different speeds.  It was a bit like the Carousel scene in Hitchcock's 'Strangers on a Train' as the first movement span madly out of control. 

When Sir Colin is off form, he is seriously so.  Waving brave circles ... (more)