Royal Albert Hall,London
A scarce outing for the glass harmonica brightened a concert of red-blooded Nordic clashes, while Thomas Zehetmair brought directness to the tricky Schumann Violin ConcertoChrista Schönfeldinger walked on stage carrying a pot of water: the accessory of choice for any player of the glass harmonica, and a curiosity of an instrument that works on the same principle as licking your finger and running it round the edge of a wine glass. Armonica,written by Jörg Widmann 10 years ago and here receiving its UK premiere from the BBC Philharmonic, is not a concerto, or but the pure,unearthly sound of the instrument plants the seed of the piece, along with an equally prominent accordion, or colours it throughout.
Time slows down. The orchestra seems to breathe in slow,massive throbs, the sound gaining substance with each inhalation until the sleeping beast stirs and threatens to wake. Widmann layers up the instruments so that each expanding note cluster feels denser than the one before, and the result is a mesmerising,sonically fascinating piece – even whether at 15 minutes it perhaps takes a single understanding a notch too far.
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Source: theguardian.com