Bear At The Concert: Sally Matthews and the LSO

Boulez, Messiaen and Bruckner at the Barbican- 8th October 2008

Boulez - Livres pour cordes (1948-49 arr 1968, rev 1989)
Messiaen - Poemes pour Mi (1936)
Bruckner - Symphony No 4 in E flat major (1874)

Obviously the 20th century works of Boulez and Messiaen did not appeal to the audience at the Barbican. The hall had many empty seats and some did not come back for the Bruckner after the interval (or maybe they were just 20th century music lovers - one could only hope)...

The evening started with the edgy Livre pour cordes by Pierre Boulez.... the piece reminded me of an interview with Alex Ross (the writer of The Rest is Noise) who describes much 20th century music as being known as 'horror movie' music.... and this piece would certainly fit into that niche.... perhaps because of its mercurial changes in textures and patterns; it certainly unnerves you but also enlivens. Exciting.

Now to the highlight of the evening and why I was here; to hear the wonderful soprano Sally Matthews (recently seen in Cavalli's La Calisto). And what a joy to hear this musical love letter that Messiaen wrote for his wife (the 'Mi' in 'Poemes pour Mi'). Daniel Harding, the conductor, describes this song cycle as Catholic jazz and certainly you can hear the spirituality intensely in this music. It is reverential, voluptuous, sensual and ecstatically beautiful. It reminded me of a Chagall painting... the one where he is flying over the city with his wife in a tender embrace.

This is a small extract from 'Poemes pour Mi' at it's most sensuous... 'The Necklace'.



Even though Sally Matthews was sometimes lost in the lush orchestration (though only rarely) this was an impassioned rendering of the text... with every word the meaning was torn out... no more like teased out. This was the most wonderful testament to marriage I have ever heard.

The night ended with Anton Bruckner's Symphony No 4 in E Flat Major which Bruckner himself named the 'Romantic' symphony. It brings to mind fairytale landscapes of crystalline mountains, dark forests and swift running rivers; indeed they were intensely romantic soundscapes. Perhaps a little too romantic for me. I prefer the edgier, personal work of the 20th century composers.

Catch this whilst you can on Performance on 3 on Radio 3 - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00f124v but not for very much longer.

Bear At The Concert: Opening of Kings Place

Kings Place

It is not everyday of the week that a completely new music venue opens in London. Kings Place is the new home to the LSO and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. This venue is designed to run with no public money involved... a bold step especially in these times of a credit crises. It will be great if this new venue does find commercial success. Certainly on the Saturday night
(4th October 2008) that I ventured up York Way, north east of Kings Cross the place appeared to be brimming with expectant customers; no doubt there to hear the eclectic night of concerts.

Kings Place Entrance/Meeting Area

The auditorium of Kings Place is certainly impressive; the veneer for the wood panelling inside the hall is made from just one tree, La Contessa, an oak tree from a German woodland and put to good use. And it sounds good as well - I happened to hear some musicians from the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment playing a mixed baroque set; some Bach, Handel and Rameau including an arrangement from 'Les Indes Galante'.

Kings Place Auditorium

It's position up York Way might put some people off... it is a bit of a hike up from Kings Cross especially on a wet night. The actual auditorium and venue is buried amongst the office complex which in itself is not inspiring but a real effort has been made with the performance halls; a joyful sound. I look forward to catching some of the more contemporary works there in the future....