Arts Diary: Romanian violinist takes the honours.

Byline: Diane Massey

RLPO 

Philharmonic Hall

THE Romanian violinist Mihaela Martin walked away with the honours at the Philharmonic Hall last night.

She virtually ate with gusto just about every bar of Tchaikovsky's violin concerto in D major, lacing it with a piquant, gipsyish air. It was a crisp, thrilling interpretation with savoury tones and textures.

In an almost totally faultless performance there was just one slip during the first movement cadenza when a high note was just a little bit sharp, but otherwise this was a first rate hearing of a familiar work, but to which she brought a bright degree of her own personality.

This is apparently her third visit to the Philharmonic Hall after two appearances with other orchestras. Someone should be booking her for the next season.

A value for money evening opened with Stravinsky's Firebird Suite. Strangely the Phil seemed to be a little out of sorts for the first few bars with a rather querulous sound in the bass. But the performance soon achieved a pleasing ensemble.

Rachmaninov's Symphonic Dances written in 1940 concluded the evening. They hardly seem the works of an old man, yet Rachmaninov was 67 when they were written. He was living in the US at the time, and in the final of the three movements in particular, the orchestral colour is shot through with quintessential America.

Full marks to individual players in the orchestra, including the piano accompanist. And recognition to Justin Brown who took over from conductor Barry Wordsworth at short notice.