The Philharmonia closed out its 80th anniversary year in style with a thought-provoking pair of late-Romantic works and the UK premiere of Fazil Say's seven-movement piano concerto. The programme took the audience on a journey from Finland's frozen tundras to Bohemia's sun-drenched woodlands, with each piece offering a unique perspective on nature.
Say's Mother Earth proved to be an urgent wake-up call in the fight against climate change, its four movements depicting the planet's diverse landscapes through thunderous percussion and evocative instrumental textures. The music was exhilarating at times, particularly in the seismic stomp of Earth and the tropical rhythms of Forest, but occasionally felt a tad obvious.
The piano part, performed by Say himself, showcased his virtuosic skills as he navigated the piece's complex demands with ease. One of the most striking aspects of the concerto was the use of unconventional techniques, such as playing with only one hand while manipulating strings inside the piano.
In contrast to the urgent warnings of Say's Mother Earth, Fazil Say's second work for the Philharmonia - a revised version of Sibelius' tone poem En Saga - offered a more serene and contemplative experience. Rouvali brought out the piece's vibrant colors and dramatic contrasts with his sensitive guidance, imbuing it with a sense of narrative depth.
The evening was rounded off by Dvořák's Eighth Symphony, which provided a welcome respite from the earlier work's urgency. Rouvali's interpretation balanced Brahmsian classicism with folk-inspired idioms, delivering an amiable and energetic performance that never lost its elegance.
Throughout the programme, conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali proved himself to be a thoughtful and expressive leader, capable of coaxing the full range of tonal colors from his musicians. His collaboration with Say and the Philharmonia was a testament to the power of music as a catalyst for conversation and connection in these uncertain times.
Say's Mother Earth proved to be an urgent wake-up call in the fight against climate change, its four movements depicting the planet's diverse landscapes through thunderous percussion and evocative instrumental textures. The music was exhilarating at times, particularly in the seismic stomp of Earth and the tropical rhythms of Forest, but occasionally felt a tad obvious.
The piano part, performed by Say himself, showcased his virtuosic skills as he navigated the piece's complex demands with ease. One of the most striking aspects of the concerto was the use of unconventional techniques, such as playing with only one hand while manipulating strings inside the piano.
In contrast to the urgent warnings of Say's Mother Earth, Fazil Say's second work for the Philharmonia - a revised version of Sibelius' tone poem En Saga - offered a more serene and contemplative experience. Rouvali brought out the piece's vibrant colors and dramatic contrasts with his sensitive guidance, imbuing it with a sense of narrative depth.
The evening was rounded off by Dvořák's Eighth Symphony, which provided a welcome respite from the earlier work's urgency. Rouvali's interpretation balanced Brahmsian classicism with folk-inspired idioms, delivering an amiable and energetic performance that never lost its elegance.
Throughout the programme, conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali proved himself to be a thoughtful and expressive leader, capable of coaxing the full range of tonal colors from his musicians. His collaboration with Say and the Philharmonia was a testament to the power of music as a catalyst for conversation and connection in these uncertain times.
, like they played some crazy piano concerto from fazil say and it was SO intense 
the dude's skills are on another level, i mean he was playing with one hand while messing around inside the piano 
. but what really got me was how the conductor balanced out the whole programme - it wasn't all about being too serious or anything. they played this super old sibelius piece and made it feel brand new again 
and of course, dvořák's 8th symphony was the perfect ending to a great night 
! The way Santtu-Matias Rouvali led the orchestra was just magical 
, and Fazil Say's piano concerto was SO cool 
! I loved how he played with one hand while manipulating strings inside the piano - talk about skill 
. And that Sibelius piece in En Saga was like a breath of fresh air 
... it was so beautiful and peaceful at times. The whole evening felt really special, especially with Dvořák's Eighth Symphony to close out 
. Can't wait to see what the Philharmonia does next! 
mind blown. and santtu-matias rouvali's performance was just wow, he really brought out the drama & emotion in each piece. but i have to say, earth movement got me a bit emotional... feels like we're running out of time to save our planet 
can't wait to see what they do next season 
. I mean, I love classical music as much as the next person, but sometimes it feels like we're missing out on some more...I don't know, contemporary vibes? 
I think Fazil Say's piano concerto is like, super cool! 
The way he plays with only one hand while manipulating strings inside the piano is like magic 
. And Rouvali did a great job conducting it, brought out all the emotions in the music 
. I love how the concert was like a journey through nature, from Finland to Bohemia 
. Can't wait for more concerts with Say and Rouvali! 
. Like, can't we just pick one piece to focus on instead of trying to make it a mini-adventure? And don't even get me started on the obligatory climate change message - it's like they're trying too hard to be relevant 
. And what's up with all these 'unconventional techniques' that sound like just an excuse for the pianist to show off 
. I mean, I guess Say's skills are impressive and all, but can't we just enjoy the music without having to learn about its symbolism and themes? 
i also love how the programme moved from the cold and dark to the warm and sunny thats just so inspiring for me right now 
]
]
]
Still, Say's piano skills were insane - I loved how he used those unconventional techniques to create this unique sound. And Rouvali's interpretation of Sibelius' En Saga was just beautiful - all these vibrant colors and dramatic contrasts came together in such a compelling way. 
and rouvali did a sick job with dvořák - that 8th symphony is like the ultimate feel good piece 
like, what's next, riding a bike underwater?! 
anyway, back to the concert... I loved how the program took us on that journey through nature, but you know what's more natural than music? Coffee 
️ i mean, have you tried that new coffee shop downtown? their cold brew is LIFE.CHANGING. 
. and rouvali's conducting skills are top notch - he really knows how to bring out the best in his musicians. it's not often you see a symphony orchestra make music that's so thought-provoking and beautiful at the same time...