If you were judging a classical music concert, your yardstick would always have been the BBC Proms. Well, move over stuffy Proms; there’s a new maestro in town, Classic FM Live.
Classic FM is the most popular classical music station in the country, but it also knows how to stage a crowd-pleasing concert, too.
This night was all in the hands of managing editor of Classic FM Philip Noyce who came up with a programme of absolute musical gems – Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending, Elgar’s Cello Concerto, Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto Number Two and Elgar’s Enigma Variations – Nimrod. Oh, and we kicked off the evening with Eric Coates’ rousing Dambusters March.
The Union Flag was flying high.
You might say that anyone can choose a programme of hit classics. It’s another thing however to find the right soloists and conductor to make the evening even better.
The first surprise of the evening was Brad Kella, the young winner of the Channel 4 Piano competition. Brought up foster parents, this Liverpudlian’s compositions were a revelation, one even called Eve & Frank, named after his foster parents.
He wants his music to have impact. In the programme he says, “I want kids who are in the care system look at me and believe anything is possible and be an inspiration to them.” Anyone who’s heard his swirling, dramatic compositions couldn’t think otherwise.
Next up was another huge talent, Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, a piano soloist who took charge of this popular Rachmaninov piece and made it her own. Her playing takes your breath away.
Finally, The Lark Ascending is one of English music’s truly poignant creations. Completed in 1914 by Vaughan Williams, it speaks of loss and love. Soloist Nathan Amaral from Brazil helped these top notes soar into the roof spaces of the Royal Albert Hall.
Added to that a trio of jolly presenters, Alexander Armstrong, Dan Walker and Myleene Class and you have an unforgettable evening.
