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Last night, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, from London, and conductor Charles Dutoit breezed into town to play a little concert for us. Jean Yves Thibaudet came too.
Charles Dutoit is a world class conductor and one of the few who still excels in both the orchestral and operatic idioms.
The Royal Philharmonic is a world class orchestra. There is no doubt. During the opening piece, Berlioz’s overture to Le Corsaire, I thought to myself, “My God this orchestra is tight.”
The second selection on the bill was Saint-Saëns Piano Concerto No. 5. Our friend Jean Yves Thibaudet handled the piano duties.
Saint-Saëns was French. Dutoit is Swiss-French. Thibaudet is French. They know what they’re doing when it comes to the “Frog” repertoire even if they are playing with a Brit orchestra.
The audience was overwhelmed after the Saint Saens. I overheard patrons saying things such as, “That orchestra runs like a Rolls Royce” and “I’ve been places and heard orchestras but this group is astounding.”
I have also “been places” and heard orchestras and I agree with the sentiment.
After intermission we settled in for Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5. The stark opening of the symphony was interrupted by a clanging cell phone. Dutoit obviously heard it and almost veered off course. “Stay classy San Diego”.
Later in the opening movement, the music was interrupted by the horn section--the French horn section. The horns had an approach that didn’t match the rest of the orchestra.
The brass section of The Royal Philharmonic was impressive. The tuba and trombones were burly and aggressive without being rude. The trumpets were nothing short of phenomenal. I’ve always found the trumpet to be exciting and thrilling. Last night I discovered them to also be beautiful. The trumpets were gorgeous.
The horns? They were off. Their tone was coarse at times. About five minutes into the opening movement, the horns and woodwinds have a dialogue with the strings. The horns seemed to be arguing with the strings and then they played a false chord.
I was flabbergasted.
The entire orchestra sounded perfect except the horns? What gives?
Did the horns tarnish the Tchaikovsky? Of course, the answer is no. The Royal Philharmonic played with such dedication and verve that the audience cheered at the conclusion. People leapt to their feet and expressed their enthusiasm and gratitude.
Pictured: Charles Dutoit
Last night, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, from London, and conductor Charles Dutoit breezed into town to play a little concert for us. Jean Yves Thibaudet came too.
Charles Dutoit is a world class conductor and one of the few who still excels in both the orchestral and operatic idioms.
The Royal Philharmonic is a world class orchestra. There is no doubt. During the opening piece, Berlioz’s overture to Le Corsaire, I thought to myself, “My God this orchestra is tight.”
The second selection on the bill was Saint-Saëns Piano Concerto No. 5. Our friend Jean Yves Thibaudet handled the piano duties.
Saint-Saëns was French. Dutoit is Swiss-French. Thibaudet is French. They know what they’re doing when it comes to the “Frog” repertoire even if they are playing with a Brit orchestra.
The audience was overwhelmed after the Saint Saens. I overheard patrons saying things such as, “That orchestra runs like a Rolls Royce” and “I’ve been places and heard orchestras but this group is astounding.”
I have also “been places” and heard orchestras and I agree with the sentiment.
After intermission we settled in for Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5. The stark opening of the symphony was interrupted by a clanging cell phone. Dutoit obviously heard it and almost veered off course. “Stay classy San Diego”.
Later in the opening movement, the music was interrupted by the horn section--the French horn section. The horns had an approach that didn’t match the rest of the orchestra.
The brass section of The Royal Philharmonic was impressive. The tuba and trombones were burly and aggressive without being rude. The trumpets were nothing short of phenomenal. I’ve always found the trumpet to be exciting and thrilling. Last night I discovered them to also be beautiful. The trumpets were gorgeous.
The horns? They were off. Their tone was coarse at times. About five minutes into the opening movement, the horns and woodwinds have a dialogue with the strings. The horns seemed to be arguing with the strings and then they played a false chord.
I was flabbergasted.
The entire orchestra sounded perfect except the horns? What gives?
Did the horns tarnish the Tchaikovsky? Of course, the answer is no. The Royal Philharmonic played with such dedication and verve that the audience cheered at the conclusion. People leapt to their feet and expressed their enthusiasm and gratitude.
Pictured: Charles Dutoit