A touch of gypsy fireside fiddle warmed the Dome as Matthew Trusler put a torch to combustible elements in Prokofiev’s daunting Violin Concerto No 1.
Trusler’s musical compass tracked the twists and turns of the score with confidence and finesse, restrained but firm in attack and capturing Prokofiev’s shrieks from the top register as well as more mellow moments.
His finest playing came during waspish passages in the sometimes disturbing second movement, scaling jagged peaks with a purposeful stride.
The Brahms Symphony No 3 seems to be different things to different people in interpretation and pacing, but Barry Wordsworth’s baton brought out from the in-form orchestra the full lustre and detail of this fine if challenging work.
The second movement produced some distinctive bassoon and other woodwind work, while the strings melted into the more melodic moments as well transforming into a power-house in the more dramatic passages, boosted by some punchy brass.
Cellos and bass mixed creamier contributions with urgent undertows as the orchestra invested the piece with moments of majestic power.
The opening Weber overture from Oberon was stirring, at times restless and always engaging, though for many it was unfortunately marred by unintentional sound system noise off-stage.
Four stars
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