(3 / 5)

Photo credit: BBC/Andy Paradise

This should have been a real highlight of the Proms season. With one of the classical world’s most cherished cellist: Yo-Yo Ma and two other fantastic musicians, violinist Leonidas Kavakos & pianist Emanuel Ax, an afternoon filled with Beethoven should have been everything.

There were several things wrong on the day. We got a notice that the musicians chose to switch the Pastoral Symphony arrangement for Brahms’ Piano Trio No. 2. Was any reason given for this last minute change? The rest of the programme remained the same. It was an expectedly packed concert hall, a humid venue on the best of days. I struggled with a fair amount of audience members who were unwilling to stand as I passed, lazily using the swivel option on their chair. I tripped over before the concert and even then people still were unmoved.

The Brahms left me cold, vigorous moments of musical passion between the three are here, it just didn’t have the wow factor. They make it special, yet I wouldn’t hear it from other players. Another issue is the acoustics which for me were mostly fine, though others in the vast hall struggled. Languid bars are met with typical melodies and had little of true depth. When Brahms misses, it’s a big miss.

Thankfully the Beethoven Piano Trio in B flat major, known as the ‘Archduke’ had more resolve. Ma as cellist exudes a friendly nature, waving when ever coming and going on stage. His playing is forever a joy, his repertoire extensive, his piercing musicianship unwavering. Kavakos on violin keeps the momentum up between the players, some thoughtful findings in the Beethoven rang through. Ax on piano, though fairly reserved played as it should be, these pieces are not for mega concert halls like these. It is chamber music after all. Some of the softer bars in the Archduke opening movement have this pristine grace to them. The fluffy piano also stood out, a meaty component though all three players have great dynamics and a fair amount of chemistry.

Encores of Schubert and Schindler’s List pleased the masses.

Listen to this Prom on BBC Sounds and view on BBC iPlayer.