(2 / 5)
It’s the wrap up for BBC NOW for the year. Those feeling festive can savour their upcoming Messiah and Christmas thrills, though for me it ends with a more formal offering.
Gabriella Smith started things off with a vivid seascape, that of Tumblebird Contrails. Here the eerie nature of the sea and its command over humans is displayed in a full throttle delivery. I noticed the strings and percussion as stand outs. I can’t say I’ve ever seen a cymbal struck on a timpani drum, so that’s a first. Fairly uneasy in the crescendo harmony, I still found it compelling even if it was brief and for me, the highlight of the night.
Simon Wills continued as both composer and methodical conductor (the rest of the concert was under the baton of a thrilled Geoffrey Paterson) in a sort of James Joyce inspired work. ‘Nora Barnacle Assumes Command’ is a new trumpet concerto and Wills claimed it is not necessarily inspired by the duo. Nora was lovers with Joyce for years and their first meeting is mirrored in his megalithic novel Ulysses. I’m sad to say, it was very conventional and might just be the most dull world premiere I’ve ever heard. Donal Bannister as soloist proves his talents, yet the piece never really shows him off, its greyscale never enchanced. We’ve seen Bannister in BBC NOW for years and his talks on Mahler were always bright and piffy. Aside from fun circus and ommpa passages, I was unmoved by this venture. Pity.
Celebrating his 150th birthday, Charles Ives saw a smattering of performance of his work this year. Ryan Bancroft (pictured) was meant to take over this night for Ives’ Symphony No. 1, the American maestro has excelled in the past with his other symphonies and tone poems. This is early Ives, prior to his plunge into wealth (thanks to a lucrative insurance firm) and his famous experimentation within music. He would create pieces decades before their time, even with some academics claiming he wrote this work much later. His 1st, is extremely safe and again, a bit boring. Inspiration from hymns and marching bands feel present yet never developed into anything really note worthy. Even the rich ‘American sound’ is not here and made me crave much more wild work such as his 4th Symphony or Three Pieces in New England. Aside from the Three Page Sonata, this was the only Ives I heard live in this birthday year…I was hoping to hear heaps more.
It also has to be noted that even with this live on the radio, some audience members choose to talk and thumble about during the music. We’ve had issues before and we can dream that these get ironed out. We’re all here to listen and make discoveries. Let’s respectfully share the joy together in quietness. Also, with the plea for physical programmes to come back to the space, there are improvements to be made. I’m sure I’ll enjoy the new year’s concerts much more: Poulenc, Boulez and Messiaen prove promising.
Listen on BBC Sounds now.