BBC National Orchestra of Wales brings Newbury’s ‘wonderful’ Spring Festival to a close

Tobias Feldmann and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales at St. Nicolas’ Church, Newbury, on Saturday, May 20. Review by HELEN BOMGARDNER

At the Grand Finale of the Newbury Spring Festival 2023, we were delighted to welcome German violinist Tobias Feldmann and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales conducted by Emilia Hoving.

The programme started with the tone poem Spring Song, Op. 16, by Sibelius. In a rendition rich in glorious colour, the dramatic final climax was particularly exciting with magnificent brass and a triumphant peal of bells.

Feldmann is one of the most distinguished musical personalities of his generation. His performance of Beethoven’s Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61 was outstanding.

After the orchestral introduction, most eloquently expressed, Feldman’s entry was magical, his violin ‘soaring’ above the orchestra with lovely lyricism. He gave a captivating rendition; a perfect mix of fiery passion and lyrical beauty. His virtuosic cadenza, at times in dialogue with the timpani, was absolutely thrilling.

Feldmann gave a most poetic portrayal: rapt, tender and full of warmth. His ornamentation was breathtaking

The central movement, Larghetto, was simply beautiful. Playing in the violin’s ethereally high register, Feldmann gave a most poetic portrayal: rapt, tender and full of warmth. His ornamentation was breathtaking.

The finale, full of energy, was a tour-de-force from both soloist and orchestra. Feldman’s violin seemed to ‘dance’ with joie-de-vivre. His passionate and virtuosic playing, sparkling with vitality, was so exciting. A jubilant coda ended a superb performance in exhilarating mood.

Finnish conductor Emilia Hoving was inspirational in the Symphony No.1 in E minor, Op. 39 by Sibelius. Accompanied by a hushed drum roll, a solo clarinet played the haunting and pensive introduction to the first movement with great beauty. A splendid Allegro energico opened with exciting string tremolos. In a dramatic rendition, full of energy, tempestuous passages were well contrasted with those of lyrical calm.

A passionate second movement, Andante, rich in colour, began with lovely sensitive playing from violins and cellos, gentle, wistful and tender. The ‘choir’ of woodwind ‘sang’ their fugal interlude to great effect and brass, timpani and cymbals added considerable excitement to the passages of high drama.

In a ‘Scherzo’, brimming with energy and rhythmic vitality, the strings displayed awesome dexterity and the timpanist was thrilling. The woodwind were delightfully expressive in the slow dreamlike ‘Trio’ – particularly the flute.

The finale,‘Quasi una fantasia, was superb with gentle, soulful Andante passages contrasting dramatically with the ‘Allegro molto’ music, stormy and intense. Accompanied by gently rippling harp, expressive strings ‘sang’ the glorious cantabile melody so beautifully.

Finally, a stunning coda brought a magnificent Festival concert to a close.