REVIEW CLASSICAL MUSIC The National Symphony Orchestra Of Ukraine The Bridgewater Hall Manchester

Ever since Russia so egregiously walked into the Ukraine - a second time - I have always felt that whatever support I could offer them I would. I was once lost and frightened in their country and I found nothing but helpfulness and kindness from them. I know going to watch their orchestra play isn't quite in the same bracket, but, well, it's a start!

The National Symphony Orchestra this evening was most definitely a reduced size (more of a chamber orchestra) but since most of the music in their repertoire did not require a full size orchestra, and they are on tour, then this is understandable. 

The concert started with a short baroque symphony from an unknown (to me at least) Ukrainian composer, Maksyn Berescovsky. Although currently given the number 1, this was probably not his first symphony and was found only quite recently in the Vatican vaults! It was an odd choice to open a concert with, but since he was the only Ukrainian composer on the schedule, then it made sense. It was light, melodic, easy-listening, and in a similar vein to the early music of Joseph Haydn.

We then heard the first of two Beethoven pieces this evening. It is actually quite surreal in one sense, since before the concert I was chatting to a fellow composer about our great grandfathers and their time in the trenches during the first world war, (a topic my dad was very keen on), and then to hear two pieces of music by my dad's favourite composer, and to be writing this review on his birthday! I must confess to becoming quite sentimental during the playing of the Emperor Piano Concerto, since my dad has not been on this earth for some years and have not thought about him this much in ages! However, that notwithstanding, the piano concerto no 5 was certainly given  a good airing this evening with Ukrainian soloist Maria Pukhlianko performing wonderfully on the piano, making every note and every melody count. there's one thing one can say about Beethoven, and that is he never missed the opportunity for a good tune! If I am honest however, I felt the orchestral balance was not optimal here. There were times when the counter melody or indeed the harmony were given precedence over the melody, and the balance of dynamics within the instruments themselves seemed a little out of place too. I mention this only because I have heard this piece many thousands of times and recordings by many different orchestras since my dad would play this concerto at least once a day! 

After a short interval, we returned to yet another strange opening piece of music. We jump straight from the Classical period of music to the romantic and to two orchestral Interludes by Frederick Delius. these were played superbly however, and the harmonic and lyric progression was sublime. They were an odd choice though since they are melancholic, quiet, and reposeful, so an unorthodox way to open the second half. The concert finished with Beethoven's 7th symphony. (the third movement being another of my dad's favourites!). And again, my comments from above came into play here too, although not as obviously. A strong, bold and fortissimo finish!

Conducted by Volodymyr Sirenko, the orchestra played well and tunefully. There were moments though where i thought he was not strict enough with his instrumentalists and did not elicit the required surge, or dynamic change, with as much elan as he could have done. It was, nevertheless, a most pleasant evening, and if nothing else, it would have pleased my dad! 

Reviewer - Alastair Zyggu

On - 16.3.26