The London Symphony Orchestra performs Beethoven’s 1st Symphony at the Barbican, with conductor Thomas Ades.
In a series of “Half Six Fix” concerts at the Barbican, aiming to perform short, easily accessible concerts, the London Symphony Orchestra performed Beethoven 1 with their usual flair and enthusiasm last night.
Lasting just over an hour, the concert provided the perfect opportunity to broaden access to classical music and introduce this perhaps lesser known work of Beethoven’s to both audience members new to classical music, and also to more long-standing.
Conductor Thomas Ades began the concert with a pioneering take on the typical format of a classical concert, taking the time to break down aspects of the symphony and explain them, interacting with the orchestra as he referenced specific parts.
He explained both the very fundamentals of the music in a lighthearted way by taking short snippets of music and getting the orchestra to play them, and also some more technical aspects of the music as he went, ensuring that this could appeal to all.
Ades suggested perhaps the connotations that these snippets could hold, such as “gusts of wind” heard in the final movement, and the famous “musical prank” heard at the very beginning.
I found these lighthearted comments to really bring the music to life when the orchestra eventually performed the piece in full and helped bring to the forefront of the mind some of the subtleties that otherwise may have not been so much appreciated.
He also took the time to go deeper into the musical features of the Symphony, such as highlighting the surprising dominant 7th chord at the start, and explaining how movement 1 differs from the typical sonata form.
This was also interesting because as someone with a love for classical music, it can increase your appreciation for specific aspects.
This introduction at the start of the concert was insightful and an important step towards making classical music more inclusive and accessible, through education.
The piece itself also was a great introduction to classical music since, as Beethoven’s debut symphony, it portrays a clear energy and youthful enthusiastic attitude.
Although it was his first symphony, he plays with unusual and even daring flairs, such as the unstable beginning.
He also breaks from tradition in the general structure of the piece, leading to an engaging and memorable performance.
“I really enjoyed the performance because it was less formal than other concerts which made the conductor and orchestra look like they were really enjoying it as you could tell the conductor was passionate about explaining the music.” - Cleo Tyack, audience member, 2024
Overall the concert was thoroughly entertaining at this beautiful location, and the enrichment in the introduction was a monumental step that perhaps could be more widely adopted across classical music.
