Clocks have changed and darkness gathers – but in BSOland these inconveniences just don’t matter.

The award-laden Argentinian pianist Nelson Goerner was in town. Famed for his “ravishing” sound he was just right for the magisterial beauty of Beethoven’s Emperor concerto, which he swept through with gloriously colourful excitement and thrilling drama. In the slow movement he conveyed a remarkable nobility of feeling which offered just the right degree of contrast. His encore, Brahms’ Intermezzo in A, charmed the Hall, releasing a collective sigh of delight.

Conducting on this occasion was the German maestro Kevin John Edusei, who is just off on a European tour with Chineke! and then a spell with the New York Philharmonic. His approach to the Beethoven seemed much in tune with the soloist, but he came fully into his own after the interval with the Fifth Symphony of Prokofiev.

Here he rapidly conveyed his own personality and created with the orchestra a performance of this mercurial wartime symphony which reminded this listener of performances by Mr Karabits, but which stood on its own as a totally engrossing interpretation.

While the first movement had plenty of brooding darkness, the sardonic second movement smiled and snarled in turn with a twinkle in its eye. The adagio offered a very thoughtful vision and the joyful finale rose to a cheeky, nose-thumbing end.

Prokofiev suggested this symphony champions the triumph of the human spirit in difficult times. This whole concert was a celebration of the power of music to illustrate just that triumph of hope and resilience.

You can rely upon BSO music-making to see you though any winter glooms to come if this engaging concert is anything to go by. Watch again on bsolive.com for 30 days.

Tom  Wickson (BSO Member and Supporter)