BBC Philharmonic Ending on a High: Review

From a rarely performed 20th century work by Messiaen to a Wagner song and finally Berloiz’ Symphonie fantastique, the BBC Philharmonic brings its 2024 season to a close with a varied and emotional programme, showcasing its versatility, depth and popular appeal.

Under guest conductor, Mark Wigglesworth the orchestra draw the audience in gently with Oliver Messiaen’s tribute to Mozart, Un sourire (A smile). Composed in 1989, Messiaen described writing the piece, ‘in the spirit of Mozart’ and here it starts with the melodic grace and beauty we associate with Mozart’s work. But this is more than an imitation and within this short piece there is much to admire in the cacophony of sounds, particularly the joyous birdsong of the woodwind and the playful percussion, notably the xylophone.

BBC Philharmonic at The Bridgewater Hall conducted by Mark Wigglesworth. Photo credit - Chris Payne / BBC — BBC Philharmonic at The Bridgewater Hall conducted by Mark Wigglesworth. Photo credit – Chris Payne / BBC

The second piece sees the orchestra welcome renowned German soprano Dorothea Röschmann to the stage for the Richard Wagner’s operatic Wesendonck-Lieder. Composed around five poems written by Mathilde Wesendonck during their affair, it enables the audience to experience Wagner’s passionate, soaring melodies on a much smaller scale.

The passionate theme continues after the interval with Hector Berlioz’s opium-induced obsession with unrequited love. As with any obsession there is an element of repetition in each of the five movements. Alongside the exaggerated romanticism are elements of nightmarish angst, unleashing the fierce energy of the brass and percussion sections, making for a rollercoaster of a ride.

Highlights include a wonderful, dreamy cor anglais solo from Drake Gritton. Both the sounds and sights of the strings playing pizzicato; the deep resonance of four harps; two sets of timpani and tubular bells make this live performance a sensory feast.

This eclectic finale described by the programmers as ‘mind-bending and transcendant’ leaves the audience on rousing high.

And if you want to hear more over the summer, the BBC Philharmonic are playing BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall in London, before returning to The Bridgewater Hall to open their new season with Holst’s The Planets in September.

Ending on a High The BBC Philharmonic was at The Bridgewater Hall on 22 June 2024.