Rachmaninov’s symphony No. 2 in E minor – Liverpool Philharmonic

It is a measure of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic’s standing among the international music community that they can attract the very best to perform with the orchestra and choir. Nowhere was this more clearly seen than at last night’s performance, which saw young British award-winning conductor Adam Hickox take up the baton to conduct the orchestra in Rachmaninov’s symphony No. 2 in E minor, and internationally acclaimed violinist Ning Feng in Samuel Barber’s violin concerto.

However, in keeping with the programming of traditional pieces with newer or lesser-known works, the concert began with ‘Nautilus’ by contemporary composer Anna Meredith. A short but intense piece featuring particularly the brass section, it was first composed in 2011 then orchestrated in 2021, Meredith says her inspiration came from ‘stomping along a beach in Scotland’, which led to the rising line and complex rhythms, spiraling ever upwards like the nautilus shell that gives its name to the piece.

This was followed by the Barber concerto. Perhaps best known for his Adagio for Strings, Barber was commissioned to write this piece in 1939 by a wealthy industrialist, with the aim of showcasing the talents of a violin prodigy of the time. It clearly served to display Feng’s immense talent and virtuosity, characterized by high lyricism and emotional connection. The first two movements, which offer flowing waves of sound, with a particularly beautiful oboe solo, are followed by a much faster third movement, the initial version having been rewritten as it was not considered sufficiently demanding. This skipped and raced along and deserved the rapturous applause from the audience. As an encore, Feng chose ‘Recuerdos de la Alhambra’ arranged for violin by Ruggero Ricci. Personally, I feel the piece is more suitable for the guitar, though this could be because it’s what I’m used to or because of the natural link between Spain and guitar music; however, Feng’s rendition was an incredible technical achievement.

Another piece that underwent a revision, this time after an initially disastrous reception, Rachmaninov’s second symphony is a four-movement tour de force, with its premiere causing composer-critic Yuli Engel to call him ‘a worthy successor to Tchaikovsky’. Here, the piece demonstrated not only the orchestra’s richness of tone but also Hickox’s ability to bring out the flowing narrative with both delicate sensitivity in the slower portions, the melodic lusciousness of the sweeping melody in the third movement, and controlled excitement and exuberance in the closing section. The resulting extended applause and cheers from the audience were richly deserved.

Reviewer: Johanna Roberts

Reviewed: 7th November 2024

North West End UK Rating: