With youthful freshness bringing urgency and vigour to the music , Alina Ibragimova delivered a magnificent and personalised version of Bruch's Violin Concerto No I in G. in the Chichester Festivities Cathedral Concert.
It is one of the most beautiful violin concertos ever written and the soloist took the notoriously technically difficult first movement cadenzas with total ease playing with joy and spontaneity.
Her interpretation of the famous adagio was sensuous
and full of tenderness and passion which could not fail to bring a tear to the eye.
Under the direction of Richard Hickox, the Philharmonia Orchestra was equally emphatic and in total empathy with the soloist
The conductor drew from the orchestra the radiance and lyricism of Ralph Vaughan Williams 5th Symphony in an exciting interpretation. The serene and peaceful opening movement was supreme with the horns and strings developing the introduction which was expertly developed by the brass and tympani. The folk music elements and ceremonial themes were exploited to the full.
Richard Hickox inspired direction produced a glorious sounding Passacaglia final movement. Beginning quietly he gradually developed the orchestra's momentum to give a radiant and joyful conclusion to Vaughan Williams' most popular symphony.
Graham Hewitt
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