Review of BBC Proms – No 17 : “Porcelain forcefulness”

The 2024 Prom season continues with a performance by the Royal Phillarmonic Orchestra under the conducting of Vasily Petrenko, featuring a guest appearance by Russian pianist Denis Kozkukhin. Guillermo Nazara shares his views on the show, to let us know if last night’s rendition of Ives, Ravel, Debussy and Tchaikovsky’s works managed to hit the right note.

What is classical music but anything else than classical? That question might come as a bit of a shock (perhaps, even an unforgivable offence) to some of the genre’s most loyal devotees. Or maybe, that was precisely the kind of view they’ve been awaiting for so long – turning me into some sort of Messiah, and humbling me through the wisdom of my words… I know, I can’t stand myself either – it’s exhausting being so perfect all the time. But moving back to my initial point, what other style (apart from jazz, maybe) has pushed the boundaries of musical creation more than the one that’s been, slightly unfairly, usually regarded as the strictest and most corseted of them all?

Fans of logical artistry (if that’s even a thing) may find themselves in a pickle upon being dropped into the chaotic charm of the late Romantic-Expressionist soul. On an evening led by the breezy, sensuous temperaments of Ravel, Debussy and Tchaikovsky’s rebellious scores, all hints of reason get crushed and substituted by the emotional richness of their high-spirited, suggestive works – taking both our minds and hearts into the most recondite corners of our imagination, and painting the most tangible pictures through the liveliness of their colourful sound and sentimental strength.

It’s precisely this sort of pieces that require the finest breed of performers – a job that supersedes any type of technical ability (not that this should ever be overlooked), and which only those with that rare touch and sensitivity are able to grasp its true essence – and ultimately, share it with the rest of the world. Conductor Vasily Petrenko proves an inherent gift in that regard, regaling audiences last night with a rather elegant, fervent and, all in all, handsomely executed rendition of a sumptuous, lavishly-tinted repertoire. Driving the ardently interpretative force of the Royal Phillarmonic Orchestra, his flamboyant attitude with the baton translates into an utterly transporting, desirous delivery boasting impeccable layering, exquisite timing and, with the exception of some very small passages, almost flawless phrasing.

Consisting of a collection of four major opuses (those including Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G Major, Debussy’s Nocturnes and Tchaikovsky’s Francesca da Rimini – preluded by Ives’s Three Places in New England), Petrenko’s understanding of melodic articulation is genuinely superb – bringing out the power of every excerpt by endowing them with both vivacity and flow; thus, resulting in a compelling, full-cycling journey that we, as listeners, are completely submerged into and, finally, stirred and stricken by.

With one of the highlights of the evening coming from Denis Kozkhukin’s appearance as the counterpart for Ravel’s piece, the illusion is sadly evaporated (to some extent) by a not too evocative interpretation which, though flaunting great rhythmicality, still fails to project the same level of electrifying enchantment as the rest of the numbers. Despite carrying out an enjoyable performance, it’s unfortunate to spot hardly any traces of expressiveness all throughout – feeling slightly sterile in form, while also lacking some rather missed strokes of delicacy.

Whatever the case, Petrenko’s accomplished endeavours make up for any flaws which, though at some moments compromising the effectiveness of the concert, are succesfully obscured by the brilliance of its overall vibe. A joyous jaunt exuding galvanizing passion and eloquent tenderness, Prom 17 stands as a robust representative of this year’s season – reminding us, once again, of the unmatched capacity that only those unusual specimens known as classics have to take us into their grips. As for that matter, yesterday’s attendees may still be fighting for their freedom.

The 2024 BBC Proms play until 14 September. Tickets are available on the following link.

By Guillermo Nazara