Kleine Dreigroschenmusik - Weill
Symphony No 4 - Mahler
Emperor Waltz - Johann Strauss II
While the BBC's Summer Invitation Concerts usually focus on unfamiliar repertoire, this programme featured three established masterpieces. Amazingly, only 30 years separate the death of Johann Strauss from Weill's acidic suite. It's a pity that the accordion in this work had to be replaced by an electronic keyboard, and a pity, too, that George Cleve's metronomic approach served to minimise the stylistic and expressive range of the programme.
Mahler's Fourth Symphony is peppered with directions such as "don't hurry", "broader still", and "very calmly and holding back", most of which Mr Cleve seemed determined to ignore. There was expert playing from the Ulster Orchestra, fine singing from soprano Gillian McIlwraith in the finale, and much of the detail stood out in sharp relief. But the more affectionate and gemtlich side of the music was completely absent and, as a result, it never made the impact it should have.
Mahler's Fourth Symphony is the sort of piece which should really not be followed by anything, but - no doubt for excellent practical reasons - the original running order was altered so that the Strauss waltz came last. Although much the most successful item in terms of performance, Strauss simply sounds gross and heavy after Mahler.