London Philharmonic Orchestra: The Spirit of Beethoven

Brighton Dome, Brighton, Saturday, September 21

BRIGHTON Dome is already an outstandingly beautiful venue.

The acoustics are already ideal for any performance that does not go through a sound system.

So naturally, The Spirit of Beethoven, performed by the London Philharmonic, resonates very well through the room.

This was the first time I had attended one of the orchestra’s seasonal performances.

I have always been a fan of live music in any capacity. I love the raw reactions and concentration of the musicians.

This is an area for this production that really stands out, every single performer knows the music to a level that passion just isn’t a good enough word to describe.

The heart-pounding flight of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony was enough to bring me to tears.

A reaction I knew I already had in me, but is somewhat hard to conjure up on a regular basis.

First though came the grand Leonore Overture, a familiar entry to the evening with Beethoven’s Violin Concerto performed stunningly by Emmanuel Tjeknavorian, an Austrian violinist who first started playing at the age of five.

You really feel the 24 years of experience when you watch his fingering and precision as he plays the piece without any musical score to aid him.

What would an orchestra be without a conductor.

Well I am disappointed to see that he did not have a conducting stick, but maybe in these modern times, hands are good enough. Kensho Watanabe’s energy was absolutely outstanding.

His enthusiasm and smiles made me want to take up the role and learn the profession myself.

The team were entirely with him as he brought together the three pieces.

Erik Selby