Dvořák Legends, Op 59 No 5; Ukolebavka (lullaby) from Four Choruses, Op 29 No 2; Slavonic Dance, Op 72 No 8
Beethoven
Piano Concerto No 5
Dvořák
Symphony No 8
Budapest Festival Orchestra
Iván Fischer, conductor
Sir András Schiff, piano
Barbican Hall, London, 30 November 2019
*************
The Budapest Festival Orchestra never fail to delight, and under the inspired directorship of Ivan Fischer, this proved the case again. With 6 double bases arrayed at the back, the string sound gleamed supported by rich tonal depth during the opening Dvorak Legend.
There is nothing this orchestra can't do, so they then stood and delivered an excellent a capella rendition of a Dvorak lullaby for chorus. Sensitive, balanced and a perfect contrast, and yet another example of the Budapest players' capacity to deftly enliven the traditional classical concert.
Joined by the ultra authoritative musicianship of András Schiff, the Beethoven Emperor Piano Concerto sounded as fresh as the day it was written. The orchestra continued it's plush sound while Schiff consistently brought out the harmonic writing to surprise the ear. How simple Schiff made other soloists sound with only eyes for the right hand melody. The outer movements were thrilling in their structural command and the clarity of his vision. Although no single approach can encompass this work, and perhaps in the slow movement Schiff's more prosaic approach missed that last ounce of poetry.
Schiff has become more of a cult figure with every year, and he treated us to an extended encore - the first movement of Beethoven's Waldstein Sonata no less - with the repeats. Rhythmically electrifying and a little showy in its "look at me" internal highlighting. But it was an encore after all.
Finally the sunny Dvorak 8th Symphony. It is an episodic work compared to the 7th or 9th, but what episodes. The Budapest orchestra savoured every one with great care and the flute and oboe contributions were particularly delicious. The brass get their way at the end but this orchestra always plays with exemplary balance, so it was a triumph with their fellow players. Long may this orchestra continue.
