Beauty without the beast: BBC Philharmonic, Feldman and Bihlmaier at the BBC Proms

Tobias Feldmann, Anja Bihlmaier & the BBC Philharmonic
© BBC/Andy Paradise

Tobias Feldmann (violin)

BBC Philharmonic

Anja Bihlmaier (conductor)

 

BBC Prom 26

7.30pm, Thursday 8 August 2024

Royal Albert Hall, London

★★★

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61

 

Encore:

Edward Elgar (1857-1934): Salut d’amour, Op. 12

 

Sarah Gibson (1995-2024): warp & weft

 

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897): Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98

Anja Bihlmaier conducts the BBC Philharmonic
© BBC/Andy Paradise

Beethoven:

'A highly engaging performance from Feldmann, producing a bright, lively tone and lyrical line throughout'. 

'... a performance of great beauty, with strong orchestral playing from the woodwinds in particular, but missing bite at the more dramatic moments'.

Gibson:

'Bihlmaier steered the orchestra through the complex rhythms in a work full of interest and challenge'.

Brahms:

'Bihlmaier gave the opening, which launches without introduction, a watery flow, (think Smetana’s Vltava), setting the tone for a fluid reading'. 

'Bihlmaier shaped the progress of the unfolding variations with a strong architectural sense'. 

Read my full review on Bachtrack here.