BBC Proms. Benjamin Britten & Jean Sibelius – Symphony No 2

 BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sakari Oramo

 Mark -Anthony Turnage - Festen Suite

Festen Suite is an eight-movement suite. The orchestration by Mark Anthony Turnage based on his 2024 opera, Festen.

The basis of the opera is cantered around the celebration meal for a Danish hotelier which descends from celebration into horror as his son reveals to all attending how he and his sister were sexually abused by their father when they were children.

All eight movements reflect the mood throughout from upbeat to melodic until the revelation of the fathers’ previous sins. A brief respite as the music has a Conga dance rhythm and a quite song to Grandma. The final four movements culminate in The Fight hard and distinct percussive blows portray the violence. This followed by Lindas Aria, sorrow for the sister who had committed suicide and final Interlude 2 like final expression of the truth.

Benjamin Britten – Cello Symphony Opus 68.

Guy Johnston – Cello soloist

A masterful exhibition by Guy Johnston of his supreme musical ability in conjunction with the orchestra who are playing their part in bringing to life a rarely heard gem.  All four movements express the dark magic of the cello along with an openness in the adagio. The final movement ends with a baroque style passacaglia of bass lines and a slow ending.

Jean Sibelius – Symphony No 2   in D major

Allegretto: Sweeping vistas of violins and light lyrical woodwind drive along at pace. The open space of lush swaying rhythms builds into a repeated high then quite reelection as the violins die back to silence. 

 Tempo Andante, ma rubato: A slow plucking of strings and quiet woodwind start the subdued movement. Then a switch to more urgency underpinned by a powerful beat on the drums.  The music seems to swirl around us but is swept along by the strings as they surge and question in a melodramatic ending.

Vivacissimo: Lyrically interplay within the orchestra punch out statements of hope. The music now sweeps in ebbs and flows like the sea and finally rests.

Finale:  Repeated crescendos followed by reflective contemplation which then give way to renewed and upbeat strings; high with the joyous sway of the music. The final triumphant expression of rising optimism as each part of the orchestra adds to the rising beat and the lush movement of sound back and forth. The end is heavenly sustained strings and a high driving ending which speaks of glorious times ahead.   

The who orchestra has been sublime. Under the baton of the conductor, who invoked and expressed every nuance of Sibelius music, they have created a stunning tribute to classical music. The end of a wonderful evening here at the Royal Albert Hall.

Mike Aburrow