City of Birmingham

Symphony Orchestra

Leeds Town Hall

Saturday 11th March 2017

An extraordinary rapport between soloist and orchestra was the outstanding characteristic of this performance of Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto conducted by Daniele Rustioni.

Roman Simovic's eloquent phrasing and tone colouring brought a tangible freshness to the virtuosic solo part. Pellucid orchestral textures somehow fostered an impression that the ink on Tchaikovsky's score had barely dried.

The Ballade from Yssaye's Violin Sonata No 3 was played as a dazzling encore and cast yet more light on the innate musicality of this Ukrainian virtuoso.

An extravagant orchestral panoply - including the mighty organ of Leeds Town Hall - opened the second half with Respighi's symphonic poem The Fountains of Rome.

Daniele Rustioni's exquisite colouring and extremes of dynamic moved seamlessly from the vivid impression of cow bells depicted by the flutes to the stupendous evocation of a victory celebration at the Trevi Fountain. Bells softly tolling for Vespers near the Medici Fountain at Sunset concluded an atmospheric performance of the earliest of Respighi's "Roman trilogy".

By virtue of the number of players on the stage, Respighi's soundscape might have supplied the most spectaculart conclusion to the concert.

In the event however, Mendelssohn's Italian Symphony made for an exhilarating climax. Rustioni's release of the opening movement's energy gave way to a noble Andante followed by a graceful Minuet and Trio.

The animated young Italian maestro virtually danced his way through the scorching Salterello finale - a translucent performance bathed in Mediterranean sunlight.

Geoffrey Mogridge