The BBC Symphony Orchestra returned to the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall with Josep Pons conducting. Paul Dukas’s ‘La Péri’, Beatrice Rana as the soloist in Rachmaninov’s ‘Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini’, and Bartók’s ballet ‘The Miraculous Mandarin’ with the BBC Singers.
A standing ovation for Beatrice Rana’s poetic performance of Rach Pag at the Proms
Dinara Klinton and I looked at each other with a twinkle in our eye as Beatrice found hidden jewels in the knotty counterpoints in what is usually an ensemble work .The fifteenth was filled with poetic beauty with the elegance and refined delicacy of the sixteenth that illuminated the score as never before . Beatrice unlocked secrets as she said, ‘because she loves it so much’.The ravishing simple beauty of the ‘Tempo di Minuetto ( XII) was interrupted by the magisterial power of the XIII. A wondrous sense of improvisation to the XI with it’s magic streams of whispered notes of gold and silver sounds.What energy she gave to the VIII of a dynamic drive of overpowering authority and it contrasted with the ravishing unexpected beauty of the VI with its beguiling uncertainty. There was a deep brooding to the XVII of ominous foreboding which made the passing of this cloud and the vision of the delicate ravishing simplicity of the famous XVIII so refreshing . It was played with such delicacy and simplicity that the entry of the orchestra and the mighty passionate outpouring together came as an overwhelming surprise, only defused by the scintillating tip toe of notes over the entire keyboard. Building up now to the tumultuous climax and the muscular virtuosity of the piano writing. A slight release of tension after the tumultuous octave cadenza with the XXIV variation of such intricate ensemble of treacherous knotty twine. Beatrice played with unbelievable clarity as she drove together with the orchestra to the overpowering rhythmic climax only to give us the final cheeky ending of teasing simplicity.
The sugar plum fairy alla Pletnev was just the icing on this delectable cake cooked to perfection with mastery and love
Beatrice and her parents celebrating as we all did this unique occasion
Caught in flagrante on the steps of this wondrous monument , as I penned this chronicle of the wondrous gift received within, just minutes earlier.
A little packet from Linn Rothstein has been doing the rounds of Europe for the past two years but finally Simonetta will place it in Beatrice’s precious hands.
ChristopherAxworthy-MusicCommentary 