Defiant celebration and emotional depth from Kanneh-Mason, Gražinytė-Tyla and the CBSO

Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla, Sheku Kanneh-Mason & the CBSO
© CBSO

Sheku Kanneh-Mason (cello)

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla (conductor)

Recorded 10 November 2020

(Video streamed online from 19 November 2020, available until 18 December 2020 here)

Symphony Hall, Birmingham

★★★★

Jean Sibelius (1865-1957): Lemminkäinen Suite, Op. 22 No. 4, Lemminkäinen's Return

Sir Edward Elgar (1857-1934): Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85

Jean Sibelius (1865-1957): Lemminkäinen Suite, Op. 22 No. 2, The Swan of Tuonela

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

Shake Kanneh-Mason
© CBSO

Sibelius:

'With expectant energy, Gražinytė-Tyla drove the players in rippling runs and the spiky melody, with bright brass pointing the joyful build to its glorious conclusion'.

Elgar:

'Kanneh-Mason ... commanded attention with his emphatic purity of tone from the opening chords'.

'Gražinytė-Tyla kept the orchestra on their toes as Kanneh-Mason skittered through with a deft touch'.

Rachael Pankhurst
© CBSO

Sibelius:

'The cor anglais (beautifully played with warmth and expression by Rachael Pankhurst) was the star here'.

Beethoven:

'Gražinytė-Tyla elicited razor sharp ensemble here in the rapid runs and syncopations, rising to a joyous conclusion'.

Read my full review on Bachtrack here.