Evocative Beamish and commanding Prokofiev from Noseda and the LSO

Sally Beamish, Martin Fröst, Janine Jansen & Gianandrea Noseda
© Mark Allan

Janine Jansen (violin)

Martin Fröst (clarinet)

London Symphony Orchestra

Gianandrea Noseda (conductor)

7pm, Thursday 20 June 2024

Barbican Hall, London

★★★★

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): Overture: Leonore No. 3, Op. 72b

Sally Beamish (b.1956): Distans: Double Concerto for Violin & Clarinet

Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953): Symphony No. 7 in C sharp minor, Op. 131

Martin Fröst, Janine Janse & Gianandrea Noseda
© Mark Allan

Beethoven:

'Lively woodwind and precise skittering strings demonstrated the LSO’s expert ensemble'.

Beamish:

'Following more virtuosic skirmishes from the highly mobile and animated soloists, and droning strings evoking the nyckelharpa, complex, jerky rhythms abounded, with Noseda keeping a tight rein'. 

'The highly expansive second movement conjured up open landscape, distance and longing, with birdlike flourishes from the soloists and bell-like percussion'.

Gianandrea Noseda conducts the LSO
© Mark Allan

Prokofiev:

'Noseda had a strong command throughout here, and from the opening angular violin theme, with cellos responding in kind, through to woodwind solos in the third movement’s relentless melodic line, orchestral precision was impressive'.

'... an emphatically commanding performance from Noseda and the LSO to end a highly engaging concert'.

Read my full review on Bachtrack here.