The BBC National Orchestra of Wales delivered a lively and memorable performance at Hoddinott Hall in Cardiff, with the UK premiere of Joan Tower's alto saxophone concerto, Love Returns, taking centre stage. This concert is part of a series marking the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence, led by Finnish conductor Tomas Djupsjöbacka.
An Uncommonly Appealing Piece
Joan Tower, renowned for works like Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman, has crafted an uncommonly appealing concerto in Love Returns. The piece is a theme and variations structure, based on a melody from her piano composition Love Letter, written in memory of her late husband. It deviates from conventional concerto form, evolving and gradually accelerating over six sections.
Brilliant Solo Performance
Saxophonist Steven Banks delivered a brilliant performance, particularly in the solo cadenza during the fifth section. His tone ranged from edgy to honeyed, showcasing wonderful expressiveness with virtuoso passagework and aching lyricism. Djupsjöbacka ensured the orchestral textures provided an optimal balance to the solo lines, enhancing the overall impact.
Witty Pairing in the Second Half
The concert's second half featured a witty pairing of Weber's Second Symphony in C major and Paul Hindemith's Symphonic Metamorphosis of Themes by Carl Maria von Weber. BBCNOW's wind players revelled in Weber's felicitous instrumentation and operatic verve, with Djupsjöbacka making a strong case for this rarely programmed symphony.
Hindemith's work, written in the US in 1943, is a reimagining of Weber themes rather than a faithful tribute, acting as a concerto for orchestra where each section gets its moment in the limelight. Described as noisy and occasionally a bit vulgar, much of it is plain fun—a term not often associated with Hindemith.
Controversial Opening and Broadcast Details
The performance opened with Britten's An American Overture, an early work he had requested be destroyed after its exhumation from the New York Public Library. As a committed pacifist, Britten would likely have been mortified by its inclusion during a time of Trumpian war-mongering. While not considered great Britten, it served as a poignant, if controversial, start to the evening.
This concert will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 on 26 March, offering audiences a chance to experience this dynamic programme from the comfort of their homes.
