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Webern, Haydn and Beethoven: Imogen Cooper (piano), Britten Sinfonia, Jacqueline Shave (violin/director), Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, 9.2.2009 (BBr)

Webern: Fünf Sätze, op.5 (1909 orchestrated 1929)
Haydn: Symphony No.88 in G (1787)
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No.3 in C minor, op.37 (1800)


The main problem of having an orchestra directed from the leader’s desk, or the keyboard, is that sometimes there is the distinct feel of a lack of a strong hand at the helm: this was the problem with tonight’s show, for both the Haydn and the Beethoven suffered from an unfocused vision and a lack of real direction. To be sure, the playing was first rate – as it should be from such a group as this – but the Haydn Symphony was shorn of its good nature, almost every gesture was too bland and the delightfully eccentric finale was rushed to such an extent that I was amazed that everybody managed to get the fingers round the notes. This music needs a much surer touch which would allow the music to speak easily to us, and show its many genial qualities.

The Beethoven Concerto obviously owes much to Mozart’s Concerto in the same key, K491, but is without Mozart’s nihilism. Tonight, the first movement set off at quite a pace but once I’d settled into the tempo I was quite happy with it, however, the second subject felt rushed, and was missing its flowing quality. Cooper handled the solo part well and matched the orchestra but where was the give and take? Where the poetry? Ultimately, like the Haydn, I found it all too bland. The slow movement fared better, and there was a real feel of beauty and calm but the finale, all high jinks and japes fell back into the style we’d got so used to by now. Even the faster coda was somewhat ponderous and failed to make the jolly conclusion it is supposed to.

Although it was obvious that a lot of thought had gone into the making of these performances the lack of a real conductor showed in the failure of the players to really phrase the music and make it elevate as it should.  Strangely, the Webern Sätze fared very well indeed and received a stunning performance, keeping me sitting on the edge of my seat in wonder at the superb playing and interpretation.

There were the makings of a fine concert here but it really needed someone in charge who didn’t have to worry about playing their own part as well as directing the performance.

Bob Briggs


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