LIVE: Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet
Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet
St Aldate’s Church, 6 May
Among the many quotes attributed to Mozart is that “to talk well and eloquently is a very great art, but that an equally great one is to know the right moment to stop”. A view that should be applied to his own works, for in this current season of Mozartmania the prospect of another recital did not fill me with delight. The first two pieces seemed to justify my fears.
While the great commentator Einstein described the Fantasia as a piece that “is an unceasing and mighty flow of melody”, it does not feature on my iTunes play list. Putting my biases aside the arrangement by Hasel is most sympathetic and the Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet gave an exemplary performance. In comparison to Reicha’s Arioso the Fantasia was masterful; for this piece illustrates well Reicha’s love of emotion for emotion’s sake.
However it was beautifully executed, and if you enjoy saccharine works in the vein of Puccini, this piece would have been a delight. Spirits were buoyed by the Serenade in C minor. This piece allayed my fears over yet more Mozart; the final movement is a joy, and the performance sublime, an absolute gem. Again Hasel excelled himself with a stunning arrangement, indeed I found I was no longer comparing it to the Orpheus’ wonderful recording.
It is works such as this that remind us why Mozart is considered a genius. It was the second part of the evening that stood out. I always find Ligeti to be one of the few avantgarde composers to have avoided the Faustian pact of having their work remembered, but only if it is quite impossible to listen to. The Six Bagatelles is an arrangement of six of the eleven piano pieces that he composed as a set. Finally, Nielsen fully justified its inclusion.
The variations — especially five and seven — were outstanding
11th May 2006