Orchestra London - Bravo Beethoven - January 17

Orchestra London performed three Beethoven works this evening, the third installment in their Ovation Series. Under the baton of guest conductor Simon Streatfeild, the headliner and closing piece was Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony which certainly drew the standing ovation at the end of the show.

But, it’s all in the journey. So, let’s start at the beginning of the evening.

Orchestra London opened with a much less-familiar piece, the Coriolan Overture. In brief, Beethoven dashed this off for Viennese playwright Heinrich Jospeh von Collin’s work, a musical accompaniment to the playwright’s Coriolanus. Von Collin apparently dared to tread where the great Shakespeare had already gone, resulting in a play that was hailed in Austria but largely lost the longer-term contest with Shakespeare’s work depicting the same Roman general. Short, beautiful, Beethoven’s piece of the same name deserves a lot more attention.

An enjoyable guest appearance by the Duke Trio supplied most of the first half of the concert. Working with the Orchestra, the Trio lead in the performance of Beethoven’s Triple Concerto (Concerto for Violin, Cell, Piano and Orchestra). Energetic and demanding on the trio, this piece was enjoyable.

A wonderful evening out, Dr. Aldrich’s pre-concert chat on the Triple Concerto was enlightening. Bravo Beethoven, indeed!