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Joshua Bell concert, Reading, UK

April 22, 2007 at 7:35 PM

I attended Joshua Bell's concert in Reading, at the Hexagon, on 17th April. He was soloist as well as concertmaster/conductor of the Academy of St Martin-in-the Fields. It was an all-Beethoven concert.

They began with the Coriolan overture. Right from the impassioned up-bow from the upper strings at the start, we knew this was going to be a cracker of a concert. The cohesion in the orchestra was incredible, full of energy.

Then came the Violin Concerto. Some swapping of seats was required, as Harvey de Souza took Joshua's place. Bell's playing on the whole was flawless. I think he played his own cadenzas; I didn't recognise them. Very imaginative. I do think there was a tiny memory lapse on Bell's part in the second movement, as at one point he trilled, & didn't seem to know what to do next, but he recovered really well, & on to the third movement, wihch was taken at a very brisk tempo indeed. I'm used to listening to it played much slower.

After the interval, Bell returned to his place as concertmaster & led the Symphony number 7. Again, the orchestra revealed just why it's one of this country's top ensembles. Sensitively played, like a chamber work. All in all, an evening extremely well-spent.

There was a beeline to get Bell's autograph after the concert, while the rank & file of the orchestra got into vehicles to take them to their next port of call (Glasgow).

Thanks for the report, Luis! Yes, Josh does play his own cadenzas in the Beethoven concerto (and many others).
Thanks for your comment, Karin. Yes, I was curious about the cadenzas. Very well thought out, & a novel approach. Thoroughly enjoyed them. I was a litle startled to hear a cadenza-like interlude, just as the 3rd movt was about to get underway. Certainly took me by surprise! :-)

I think both Joshua & the orchestra were too knackered by the end of that draining concert for an encore. And I gathered that there was a long journey ahead for all of them. Phew. What a gruelling life they lead. It's not easy being an orchestra "on the road".