The Royal Albert Hall in London has once again been brightened up with the brilliant Symphony No 3, also known as the Organ Symphony, by Camille Saint-Saëns. It has a reputation of being either loved or hated at the same time. While some people absolutely adore it, some just can’t seem to like it no matter what.
It was first performed in 1886, commissioned by the Royal Philharmonic Society. 15 years before that, the composer had tried the new organ at the hall for the first time when he was trapped in London at the backdrop of the Franco-Prussian War.
Sir Mark c had conducted the prom by the Hallé orchestra. The show was held celebrating the memory of Saint-Saëns and the hundredth anniversary of his death.
In the concert, the first half was dedicated to Beethoven. Two takes on his works were presented. The UK premiere of Unsuk Chin’s ‘subito con forza’, a Beethoven-inspired orchestral piece was served to the audience. The therapeutic rhythmic flows, resounding opening chords, and repetitive sequences offering comic relief were extremely remarkable.
With Benjamin Grosvenor as a soloist, Mark Elder led the next exceptional performance of his fourth piano concerto. Grosvenor is considered one of the greatest pianists in the country.
Their amazing performance touched the hearts of the audience. Starting slow, they both created a beautiful momentum accurately contemplating the nature of loneliness.
The outer movements in the concerto were distinctively clear. The orchestral balance has disappointed many. It is usually a modern orchestra but here it switched off the vibrato.
Grosvenor’s calm, composed, and more muscular virtuosity and concert étude ‘Gnomenreigen’ by Liszt was the most incredible moment of the show. The organ Symphony was rather slow and gloomy in terms of the tempo.
It almost felt like an injustice to the brilliant musician Saint-Saëns at some moments in the symphony. But some moments had taken the breath away of the audience. Eminent musician Anna Lapwood saved the day with her outstanding organ in the finale. She is a broadcaster, conductor, and director of music at Pembroke College. It is obvious that she could have done a better job t conducting as well.
Other than her extraordinary performance, the amazing orchestral piano, satisfying brass solos, and more that also contributed to the brilliance of the symphony.
