REVIEW: Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra at Portsmouth Guildhall
Never have I wanted to laugh so much at a concert. But then Khachaturian's violin concerto is pure theatre '“ or it is when young Romanian Nemanja Radulovic is soloist.
After an electrifying start, he stood close to the BSO’s chief conductor, Kirill Karabits, as if communing with him– before seemingly wanting to do the same with the clarinetist during his solo.
Radulovic lived every note, whether it was his or the orchestra’s, but this wasn’t showmanship. This was true engagement in the composer’s inspiration.
In the finale, he listened intently to the wild orchestral opening before casually trumping it – almost a laugh-out-loud moment.
The playing was superbly pointed throughout, with leader Amyn Merchant and cor anglais player Holly Randall earning solo plaudits.