image by Jake Samuels

Barry Douglas and the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra at the National Concert Hall, Friday 11th April.

The first positive in this concert is the packed auditorium, a very rare sight at any kind of classical music event in Ireland (excluding Grade 1 recorder class concerts). The presence of a ‘surprise extra’ on a programme, however, always fills the concert-goer’s mind with fear that the surprise in question could be very unwelcome news.

The terrifying opening C minor chord of Beethoven’s Coriolan Overture sets minds at rest (in that way only). Unfortunately, the performance of this emotionally charged work seems to lack a certain spark, with many of the dramatic moments feeling a little too moderate. One beautiful moment is a thrilling pianissimo Alberti bass from the cellos of the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra.

Mozart’s Symphony No. 41 in C major (Jupiter) suffers similarly. Although the playing is never less than adequate, everything feels slightly too heavy. Performing with a desk less of each section of strings would probably alleviate this somewhat. The sound in general is on the string-heavy side, although the balance is mostly fine. The only place where the strings begin to bury the wind and brass is in the fugal sections of the finale. In a strange contradiction, these are probably also the most exciting passages of the first half.

The performance of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto in E flat (Emperor) is in an entirely different class. The gulf between the orchestra before and after the interval suggests that Barry Douglas is possibly more at home directing from the keyboard than conducting without a piano in front of him. Beethoven’s last piano concerto is a pinnacle at the top of the piano repertoire (and equally at the top of the orchestral repertory) and tonight it performs the remarkable feat of making Mozart’s last symphony look mediocre.

Douglas is a captivating performer, exuding charisma and power. He possesses a string-snapping, percussive fortissimo sound (which is not to say that he lacks subtlety) and a beautifully fragile pianissimo. He has the experience and depth of sound to ensure that the balance between the piano and orchestra is always perfect (certainly no need for reduced strings at this point). The RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra are also at their best, and the result is extraordinarily exciting.

Programme

‘Surprise Extra’: Beethoven – Coriolan Overture
Mozart – Symphony No. 41 in C (Jupiter)

Beethoven – Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat (Emperor)