ED2015 5/5 Reviews ED2015 Music Reviews

Grande Messe Des Mortes (Edinburgh International Festival)

By Louise Rodgers | Published on Wednesday 26 August 2015

Hector Berlioz’s requiem had drama, spectacle and the tremendous Philharmonia Orchestra, conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen. The Edinburgh Festival Chorus celebrated their 50th anniversary by contributing a blend of poignantly angelic and impressively devilish voices; tenor Laurence Brownlee was masterful. Berlioz experimented by expanding orchestral and choral sound – even going so far as making extraordinary new instruments to further his musical ideals. Tonight was sonorous and bold in tone and execution, expressing the wild spirit of Berlioz by scattering most of the brass section around the auditorium. The audience felt present at the last judgement itself, as the very air around them shook. Did we go to heaven or hell during this performance? Heaven, definitely!

Usher Hall, 22 Aug.
tw rating 5/5  [Louise Rodgers]