Abrahamsen's Horn Concerto: A Quiet Triumph at the Proms
With a limited number of European orchestras gracing the Proms this summer, the BBC is showcasing the talent of its in-house ensembles. The Manchester-based BBC Philharmonic made its third appearance at the Royal Albert Hall in just nine days, marking their second concert under Chief Conductor John Storgårds.
The programme featured a selection of mainstream repertoire, including Schumann's Genoveva Overture, Sibelius's tone poem Pohjola's Daughter, and Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony, all delivered with commendable efficiency. However, the evening's highlight was undoubtedly the UK premiere of Hans Abrahamsen's Horn Concerto, arguably the most captivating new composition of the entire Proms season.
Abrahamsen, a former horn player, seems to have poured a sense of nostalgia into this concerto, a reflection on bygone days. Completed four years ago for Stefan Dohr, principal horn of the Berlin Philharmonic, Dohr delivered an immaculate solo performance. The three seamlessly flowing movements transition from slow, gentle contemplation to urgent energy, ultimately returning to comforting melodies. The horn lines dance across delicate orchestral textures, with the large orchestra used sparingly.
Some of the intricate, shimmering details that define Abrahamsen's orchestral writing were inevitably lost in the vastness of the Royal Albert Hall, a space perhaps too grand for such an intimate work. However, listening to the broadcast later revealed the meticulous care with which the background is crafted, and how the solo horn lines are etched against it, moving between the instrument's conventional modern tuning and its natural harmonics, with their subtle microtonal nuances. Dohr navigated these shifts with effortless mastery, demonstrating his exceptional command of Abrahamsen's demanding score. This quiet, unassuming piece emerges as an extraordinary and subtly enigmatic work.
