RSNO/Sondergard Usher Hall
Martin Kershaw
Four Stars
Sibelius's 6th Symphony is a strange beast. Fragmented, meandering, abstract - it wilfully defies coherence. A tough opener, and in the face of it the RSNO struggled to get going. I found myself particularly wanting more from the upper strings - they often bore responsibility for carrying the rhythmic momentum but lacked the confidence and precision to do so. A slightly faltering start then, but things soon improved, thanks in no small part to conductor Thomas Sondergard's tireless, coaxing direction, which was to be crucial factor throughout the evening.
In complete contrast to Sibelius's 'pure cold water' was Magnus Lindberg's coruscating, fiery Clarinet Concerto. Here featured soloist Kari Kriikku cut a highly physical, almost animal presence; pivoting like a duck, strutting like a rooster, pawing the ground, whinnying and snorting like a restless horse. He was clearly in his element playing a work that so cannily showcased his ferocious technique and formidable arsenal of special effects, and the orchestra kept pace admirably in an electrifying display that deserved its rapturous audience response.
The highlight of the concert was still to come though, with an absolutely glorious performance of Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6 . Total, rapturous abandon to unfettered, unashamed romanticism, with Sondergard a constant inspiration, forward on the rostrum, wringing every drop of emotion from his charges. The iconic melodies soared in full flight, and every section was given exactly the right treatment - from the dignified melancholy of the introduction to the bombastic defiance of the third movement. And then that fabulous, final Adagio lamentoso - Andante: an intensely moving farewell from a truly remarkable composer.
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