Classical review: Scottish Chamber Orchestra

Published on Friday 7 May 2010 20:21

QUEEN'S HALL, EDINBURGH ***

ALTHOUGH death was the prevailing theme in this sombre programme, the music wasn't all doom and gloom. Mass in C minor Op 147 is one of Schumann's last works and was never performed in its entirety before he died. The overall structure felt unbalanced, particularly as the chorus sings the majority of the mass, with the three soloists squeezed into the Sanctus at the end almost as an afterthought. However, the SCO Chorus, directed by conductor John Storgards, proved themselves to be more than up to the task, nearly lifting the roof in the dynamic Gloria and bringing the mass to an end with a suitably contemplative Agnus Dei. Schumann's addition of a prayerful Offertorium for soprano, cello and chamber organ in the middle didn't relate to the rest of the mass and soprano Rachel Nicolls' delivery was too forceful for the space.

Stephan Loges only had a few lines in the mass, but there was another opportunity to enjoy his commanding baritone voice in Brahms' Four Serious Songs. Set to texts from the Old Testament, these tender reflections on the nature of death and unrequited love were written when Brahms too was at the end of his life. Despite the subject matter, there was a vibrancy and sense of life triumphing against the odds which was beautifully articulated by Loges.

By comparison, the Serenade No 2 in A Op 16 by Brahms, with its bouncy rhythms and simple melodies, lacked the sophistication and substance of his later works.