A few bars of the opening of Richard Strauss’s tone poem Macbeth were enough to remind one just how special is the sound of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra. The exquisitely voiced woodwind and robust but mellow brass, underpinned by richly upholstered strings, make this a unique ensemble. Best not to ask the Leipzigers whether they prefer to play in the Gewandhaus, with its superlative acoustics, or the Barbican Hall, but under the baton of their chief conductor, Andris Nelsons, they here offered in this all-Strauss programme an unforgettable aural experience.
Macbeth, an early Strauss score, is not so often heard these days and, in all honesty, the protracted blood and thunder of the middle section – appropriate as it may be for the grisly Scottish play – is less than appealing. There’s some surprisingly ingratiating music associated with Lady Macbeth, which gave these fine woodwind players a chance to shine, as did the brass in the thrilling ceremonial music.
