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A Canny Pairing
MIKE WHEELER listens to
Stephen Hough, Mark Elder
and the Hallé Orchestra
Brahms' Second Piano Concerto and Dvořák's Symphony No 8 make a canny pairing, not just because of the personal connection between the two composers. Both have a reputation as among their composers' sunnier works but, as Mark Elder's performances with the Hallé Orchestra showed, they are not all sweetness and light (Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, UK, 12 October 2016).
Having said that, the first impression of the Brahms was of the refreshingly clean, clear orchestral sound, in dialogue with a soloist, Stephen Hough, who was very much a first among equals with no grandstanding. The second movement had the right degree of truculence, with an exhilarating sweep into the chiming, celebratory trio section...
Copyright © 23 October 2016
Mike Wheeler,
Derby UK
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