We’re at the end of another thrilling concert season from the BBC National Orchestra of Wales (BBC NOW), which my wife and I have thoroughly enjoyed at Swansea’s Brangwyn Hall.
My name is Ian and I’ve come to appreciate classical music later in life, having appalled my music teacher in school when I handed in my blank exercise book at the end of third year comprehensive. My wife, Emma, on the other hand studied music at university. Together we’ve been going to the odd BBC NOW concert at the Brangwyn for a few years now, but this season we decided to try to see them all.
We really like the Brangwyn. Despite its 1930s grandeur, with visually stunning architecture and Sir Frank Barngwyn’s British Empire Panels, it’s a place that somehow manages to feel relaxed and welcoming. Perhaps, it’s the helpful stewards on duty? You don’t need to dress up and can enjoy a cheeky glass during the interval.
Shostakovich
Despite our noble ambition to catch every concert in this year’s BBC NOW season, we had to miss Shostakovich’s 13th Symphony in February. Lucky for us, the BBC NOW concerts are often recorded and broadcast on BBC Radio 3. Listening via catch-up on BBC Sounds, we couldn’t get over its powerful lament for those slaughtered at Babi Yar, brought home by the great male voices of the BBC National Chorus of Wales. As often with classical music, it’s not all drama with the second movement bringing a touch of humour when Shostakovich praises the power of comedy under political pressure. Shostakovich’s 13th Symphony is a real belter.
St David’s Day Stravaganza
Next up was St David’s Day Stravaganza, which kick started the annual Croeso celebrations in the city. I’m glad to say we did manage to attend this concert. Taking their positions, the orchestra first performed William Mathias’ Holiday Overture, a relatively short piece by the Welsh composer. It’s playful and we particularly liked the use of the percussion section to generate Latin rhythms… Viva!
A St David’s Day concert celebrating Welsh composers had to feature the work of Sir Karl Jenkins, and after a brief reset the silence in the hall was pierced by the sound of Jess Gillam’s saxophone playing his Stravaganza as she made her way through the audience to the stage.
Stravaganza is an Italian word meaning eccentricity and the concerto certainly lived up to its name during its UK premiere at the Brangwyn. Jess Gillam’s sequin-studded suit was bright and dazzling, but not as much as her performance, which rightly got the audience to their feet when Sir Karl joined her at its end. I really enjoyed this piece and thought you could hear the composer’s roots in jazz. (That reminds me, I must book tickets for ‘Down, Another Road’: The Jazz Music of Sir Karl Jenkins at this year’s Swansea International Jazz Festival.)
The second half saw the orchestra joined on stage by the National Chorus of Wales and National Youth Choir of Wales to perform Sir Karl Jenkins’ Dewi Sant; a medley of traditional Welsh songs arranged by Jeffrey Howard; and Grace Willams’ Fanfare and Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau – a perfect way to celebrate Wales’ patron saint’s day!
Rachmaninov 2
Emma was particularly looking forward to March’s concert, which featured Rachmaninov’s 2nd Symphony – one of her favourites! Whilst there’s a lot of sophisticated elements to this composition, it’s the sweet romantic atmosphere it conjures that she really likes, and the BBC NOW played it beautifully in the second half.
Before the interval we were treated to Elegy for Strings by Grace Williams, one of the first professional Welsh composers of the 20th century to attain significant national recognition, and Carl Neilsen’s Violin Concerto.
Enigma Variations
April’s concert saw the BBC NOW tackle Elgar’s Enigma Variations, with its well-known Nimrod. However, for us the real magic of the concert was in the first half with another Grace Williams composition, Sea Sketches, which had me feeling as though I had been sailing the high seas and had washed up on a beautiful beach. Williams was born in Barry and wrote the piece whilst living in London, she was clearly feeling the Welsh ‘hiraeth’ (deep longing) for home.
We thoroughly enjoyed the Harp Concerto by William Mathias, which presented a different musical landscape of Wales. Emma particularly liked the way the harp, wonderfully played by Catrin Finch, entered a dialogue with the celesta.
Bartok
The BBC NOW returned to the Brangwyn in May for Bartok’s Concerto for the Orchestra. Listening to the concerto you can’t help but notice elements of folk music. It really showcases the orchestra’s range, and I thought I could hear Latin rhythms, which I imagine reflects the composer’s interest in the study of music from different cultures. They were led by Grammy award-winning conductor, Giancarlo Guerrero, whose dancefloor shimmying on the podium made us chuckle.
The concert also featured the UK premiere of The Observatory by Caroline Shaw, a piece inspired by the cosmos and the human desire to explore and understand it, as well as Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major, with the renowned pianist Sergio Tiempo at the keyboard. I loved the jazz rhythms of the concerto, echoing Gershwin who Ravel admired, and Sergio Tiempo tickled the ivories sublimely.
Season Closing
All good things must come to an end, and so too must this season of BBC NOW concerts. We have been treated to some wonderful music from world leading musicians. Still to come is the season closing concert featuring Dvořák;s Cello Concerto in B minor, Blue Cathedral by Jennifer Higdon, and William Levi Dawson’s Negro Folk Symphony, which I’m particularly keen to hear.
Beyond that the BBC NOW will be at London’s Royal Albert Hall for the BBC Proms before a well-earned break and preparations for the next season.
“If music be the food of love, play on…” Shakespeare
