Concertgebouworkest / Critiques

The return of Andris Nelsons for the Seventh in his complete cycle of Shostakovich symphonies with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra demonstrated yet again the marvellous chemistry between the two. In a highly aerobic work-out, the Latvian conductor prodded and beckoned the RCO, resulting in both a deeply harrowing and subtly hopeful interpretation of Shostakovich’s Symphony no. 7 in C major “Leningrad”. Janine Jansen’s hyper-sensual rendition of Béla Bartók’s Violin Concerto no. 1 preceded the towering performance; her fierce fragility contrasted Shostakovich’s roar in this well balanced programme.