Under the baton of Mark Elder, the BBC Symphony Orchestra’s concluding concert of the season commenced with Francs shrecker‘s Chamber Symphony.This piece, while perhaps not as frequently performed as it deserves, presents a captivating and exceptionally beautiful soundscape, both sensual and enigmatic. Composed in 1916 for 24 solo instrumentalists, the symphony unfolds as a continuously evolving single movement, its four distinct sections subtly mirroring traditional symphonic form. The influence of strauss and early Schoenberg is evident in the score, which boasts an elaborate, jewel-like brilliance, often likened to a Klimt painting rendered in sound. Elder, displaying a clear affinity for the work, lingered appreciatively over its rich textures, meticulously drawing them out with refined precision and eliciting exquisite playing from the BBCSO.

The same meticulous attention to textural nuance defined the performance of Mahler‘s Das Lied von der Erde, presented after the intermission.This interpretation was marked by unyielding intensity and masterful control. Tempos were carefully judged, with Elder’s slightly more deliberate pace for Von der Jugend evoking a poignant sense of nostalgia beneath the surface elegance. The almost unrestrained momentum for the horsemen in Von der Schönheit substantially amplified the feeling of longing their appearance inspires.the sheer power of the orchestral sound was electrifying at the beginning,and the conclusion was impeccably rendered in its reflective beauty. Throughout the performance, instrumental solos, played with remarkable refinement, seemed to resonate across vast, open spaces, creating a heartbreaking and desolate atmosphere.

“The sheer weight of orchestral sound was electrifying at the start and the ending immaculate in its reflective beauty.”

Alice Coote and David Butt Philip were the featured soloists. While Coote’s voice has reportedly lost some of its former richness,with occasional hints of sharpness in her higher range,her artistry remains undiminished. She has consistently delivered outstanding performances in this work, employing a slightly declamatory style, conveying deeply felt emotions with restraint and remarkable dynamic subtlety. Butt Phillip, in contrast, delivered a truly revelatory performance, tackling some of the most challenging music ever composed for tenor with remarkable ease, resonant fullness of tone, and clear diction, even in the most demanding high passages.His performance was balanced with soft singing of immaculate warmth and sensitivity – a truly exceptional achievement in an already outstanding concert.