21st November 2024
Royal Festival Hall, London, United Kingdom
MOZART Violin Concerto No. 4
MAHLER Symphony No. 9
Leonidas Kavakos (violin / direction)
Philharmonia Orchestra
Herbert Blomstedt (conductor)
I don't know how often one gets to see a 97-year-old conducting a Mahler symphony, but we witnessed something more than a miracle tonight. I grew up listening to Herbert Blomstedt's seminal Nielsen recordings and have long been a fan of his understated, graceful and sophisticated performances. The last time I saw him, he was 89 and I called that all-Beethoven Prom "PURE. HEAVENLY. BLISS". Mahler 9 is a taxing work, emotionally, intellectually and physically. The fact that, at 97, one is physically fit and agile enough on stage for 90 minutes straight is a wonder in itself, but it's beyond belief that he managed to give a performance with such great sensitivity and youthful vitality which could easily put most other conductors in their prime to shame. The pacing and shaping of the Andante, the elegance of the ländler, the piercing transparency of the counterpoints in the Rondo-Burleske, and the transcendence of the Adagio - everything was in the right place and perfectly balanced. Sure, there were some sloppy moments from the brass here and there, but Blomstedt clearly loved and respected every note and player and the Philharmonia Orchestra duly reciprocated. Says who that Mahler 9 is all about dying and death and must be poignant? All I heard was a life-affirming and illuminating performance of supreme warmth where every performer treasured every ounce of the human spirit. Leaving the hall, all I wanted to do was to go home, get down on the knees to say a prayer and thank God for every moment that happened. I hope that Blomstedt stays healthy and happy for many more years to come. The concert started with Mozart's uneventful "Violin Concerto No. 4" play-directed by the great Leonidas Kavakos. Personally speaking, the orchestral force was too large and the straight playing was too safe, and I would prefer a more camerata-style ensemble instead, but it was a good warm-up for what then became a magical concert.
