February Classicals

Everyday I wake up wishing it were spring. I feel as though this winter has gone on too long this year.

But a cold, blistering month doesn't mean a dull one - in addition to Vancouver 2010 shenanigans (which is still happening - details to come soon) and Chocolate Appreciation Day, London's three symphonies (plus Philharmonia Orchestra, resident at the Southbank Centre) will be hosting a handful of wonderful concerts.

Now, to set the record straight, in my frank opinion last night's London Philharmonic playing Sibelius' 2nd symphony was possibly the best concert of the year. You can't get any better. Whenever an orchestra has Sibelius 2 lined up in the season, there are very few other shows in the year that top it - it's always been that way. I won't go into the details of how and why the symphony is so great, but an immediate standing ovation for four rounds of clapping should be proof enough that somehow that symphony strikes a chord - no pun intended - to all those present.

I say 'possibly' though, because - lucky London in 2010 - it seems like everyone is playing Sibelius this year. A rarity, because Sibelius is not easy to play. London Phil is at the moment in the process of playing Symphonies 1-7 by Sibelius. And fortunately for all who missed last night's show, Philharmonia Orchestra will be hitting up Sibelius 2 at the end of May. And now that I look at May's schedule, that's going to be a very exciting month for classical music..

But back to February. As usual I attach short commentaries on the pieces, and make an X stars out of 5 recommendation - obviously the more stars, the better. No need to reply unless you are buying tickets. I've found my favorite seat at Royal Festival Hal though - row Z in the left or right Side Stalls, so that is where I'll be buying most of my tickets going forward.


1. 11 February 2010 7:30 pm

Philharmonia Orchestra @ Royal Festival Hall
Mahler's 2nd Symphony

MAHLER: Symphony No. 2, "Resurrection"

Tickets: £8 - £38
Available on Southbank Centre website

Recommendation: 3.5 stars out of 5


2. 14 February 2010 3:00 pm (OR 17 February 2010 7:30pm, see below)

Philharmonia Orchestra @ Royal Festival Hall
Valentine's Day Gala Concert

TCHAIKOVSKY: Fantasy Overture, Romeo & Juliet
BRUCH: Violin Concerto No.1 in G minor
KHACHATURIAN: Spartacus - Adagio
DVORAK: Romance in F minor for violin, Op. 11
BIZET: Carmen Suite

Tickets: £8 - £38
Available on Southbank Centre website

Recommendation: 3 stars out of 5


3. 16 February 2010 7:30 pm

Steve Reich @ Queen Elizabeth Hall
Reich Drumming - International Chamber Music Season

Lots of drumming - of all sorts, I imagine.

Tickets: £9 - £25
Available on Southbank Centre website

Recommendation: 3 stars out of 5


4. 17 February 2010 7:30 pm (OR 14 February 2010 3:00pm, see above)

London Philharmonic Orchestra @ Royal Festival Hall
Romeo & Juliet

TCHAIKOVSKY: Fantasy Overture, Romeo & Juliet
PROKOFIEV: Piano Concerto No. 1
PROKOFIEV: Romeo and Juliet, Op. 64 - excerpts

Tickets: £9 - £38 (going quickly!)
Available on Southbank Centre website

Recommendation: 3 stars out of 5


My Two Pence:
I was also going to add to the list an LSO concert on 24 February, playing Berlioz' Symphonie Fantastique as it's a really nice one to listen to, but unfortunately tickets are totally sold out for that show. It's coupled with Mendolssohn's Violin Concerto and I didn't think that people would know about Berlioz, so the "SOLD OUT" sign came as a surprise. Sorry, guys.

The month, however, kicks off with Mahler's Second Symphony. This symphony, called "Resurrection," is probably one of the most famous of Mahler's symphonies. It was his first big piece, and ponders the meaning of life, death, afterlife, you get the idea - hence the title. It's a big piece - Mahler usually likes to take it to a larger level - and requires an expanded orchestra plus a choir. 10 French horns and 8 timpani! There's even an organ involved, plus a brass and percussion ensemble off stage. Fun stuff. Tickets are flying out the door for the good and cheap seats, so get one fast - my favourite seat in the house has been taken, so I will be retreating to the balcony level. £8 tickets are still available!

As you may have noticed, the groups are taking advantage of Universal Chocolate Appreciation Day this year (do they do this every year? I don't know) and embarking on two separate compositions of our beloved Shakespeare's mother of all cliches, Romeo & Juliet. Don't ask me what the link is between chocolate and Shakespeare. Between Tchaikovsky's and Prokofiev's versions, I prefer Prokofiev because it's more subtle and delicate and moving, but Tchaikovsky's is, as he always is, quite bold and complex. I know this is starting to sound like a wine tasting class but perhaps this will be a good opportunity for you to settle the preference once and for all - you'd never do such a thing otherwise. I will warn that LPO's Feb. 17 show is selling out quite quickly - people love cliches - but like all cliches there's some truth and value in them and I'd definitely say either the Feb. 14 matinee or the Feb. 17 evening show (but not both, that would be too much) are worth a visit. Call me a scrooge but I will most likely take the Feb. 17 show because I don't want to be surrounded by smooching, chocolate-smothered couples on Feb. 14, and prefer enjoying my own Green & Black's dark chocolate bar cleanly sans tongue and saliva, thank you very much.

I know that one guy and a percussion ensemble doesn't count as an orchestra. But Steve Reich is possibly one of the greatest composers alive at the moment, and for us percussion students, he's pretty close to an idol. He'll be putting on a show of contemporary percussion music (which could get crazy, I admit) with a very strong group of percussionists and a voice ensemble, but if you want a taste of something different this month - this is like taking a vodka martini amidst all the chocolate - this might be for you.