UK tour - Dresden Philharmonic at the Royal Concert Hall
Kochanovsky fluidly shaped the music with a grace and precision reminiscent of Haitink.
Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No 6, the Pathétique, occupied the second half. [...] Kochanovsky had whipped the orchestra into such propulsive ecstasy that many of the audience (this reviewer included) broke the no-applause-between-movements rule. The finale was sheer joy, the audience so spellbound by the held-breath diminuendo of the closing notes that it took a while for the applause to kick in, and even then it was tentative to begin with; a respectful holding back. Then it grew, swelled, became rapturous.
I have no doubt the Dresden Philharmonic will enjoy a productive and creative partnership with Runnicles, but their showing in this concert left me wishing that it was Kochanovsky taking the helm with them.
The Dresden Philharmonic played at the Royal Concert Hall on April 19th 2024.