BSO/Classical New England — 2020/08/29

This evening's "encore broadcast" is a good 'un, originally performed just last January 4. Here, slightly edited, is what I wrote back then:

The BSO returns to Symphony Hall with a couple of familiar pieces and a pleasant enough curtain raiser to precede them. The performance detail page has the usual links and this description:

Former BSO assistant conductor Marcelo Lehninger, who last led the BSO in 2014, is joined by distinguished pianist Javier Perianes for Beethoven’s heaven-storming Piano Concerto No. 5. Completed in 1811, it was the composer’s final concerto, a work perfectly balancing virtuosity with substance and depth and epitomizing the composer’s “heroic” period. (Perianes last performed with the BSO in March 2016.) Beethoven’s bright, five-minute overture to The Creatures of Prometheus, composed in 1801, was part of his complete ballet score, the first music he ever wrote for the theater. Closing the program is Tchaikovsky’s 1888 Symphony No. 5, a work as intensely lyrical as it is powerful, which uses a recurring “fate theme” to unify all four movements.

(Some emphasis added.)

The piano concerto, nicknamed "Emperor" only in the English-speaking world, is one of my favorite pieces of music, so I really enjoyed the first half of the concert. While Tchaikovsky isn't that high on my list of favorites, his music isn't bad. All in all, it was a fine evening on Thursday when I attended the performance, likely my favorite concert of the season.

The reviewers weren't as happy as I was. The Globe found plenty to dislike about the playing of the Beethoven; the Intelligencer found fault with both halves of the concert, although also some good things as well, mostly with the Tchaikovsky. Maybe this is a case where you're happier if you're not too sophisticated. The only criticism I had was that the pianist seemed to be playing the left hand part too softly.

So I recommend it unreservedly. Listen in over WCRB at 8:00 p.m., Boston Time this evening. They don't seem to be promising a rebroadcast on Monday, the 13th. We'll have to wait and see. Meanwhile, listen this evening to be sure you catch it.

Enjoy.

I still think so.

In addition to all the links provided in my post, WCRB offers one for an interview with the pianist on its page about the concert.