BSO: Past and Present (Bristol)

Marta Gardolińska
CONDUCTOR
Johannes Moser, Cello
SOLOIST

Grieg, Holberg Suite
Haydn, Cello Concerto in C
Leshnoff, Suite for Cello, Strings & Timpani
Mozart, Symphony No.29

Grieg’s music somehow always satisfies the soul. And so it is with one of his
greatest works, his homage to Danish author Ludwig Holberg, a
contemporary of Bach, Handel and Scarlatti. Grieg fashioned his suite in
the image of the music Holberg would have heard in his times. The
recently rediscovered C Major Concerto consists of sturdy, confident
music, written with a wonderfully developed sense for what the cello can
do. It shows that Haydn’s pleasure in odd phrase lengths and other
rhythmic surprises was part of his musical personality from the
beginning. The music is delightful in detail and masterful in design.

On all counts, Mozart’s Symphony No.29 is a fine specimen of gallant
writing: poised, polite and faithful to the Viennese classical balance
between grace and energy. Its light-hearted charm and elegance intends a
work which is truly meant to entertain and delight. Mozart’s ability to
draw the maximum of colour and expression out of a very small orchestra
is outstanding. Celebrated as “the real thing”, Jonathan Leshnoff ’s
music has been lauded as “distinct from anything else that’s out there.”
Cohesively constructed and radiantly lyrical, his compositions have
earned international acclaim for their striking harmonies, structural
complexity, and powerful themes.