On Friday, as Nigel
Farage came to Edinburgh to boost his party’s candidature for a Scottish Euro
seat, and to tell us how we’d be better off outwith the European Union, in
Glasgow a very different approach to things European was being promulgated by
the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, and its Chorus.
In an inspired piece
of programming, the SCO’s season finale was Beethoven's 9 Symphony (the
Choral). Its theme of universal brotherhood, joy and fellowship sent out a much
more positive message than the isolationism preached by Farage and many other
narrow separatists. (*The title of this piece is part of Schiller's Ode to Joy, the poem that provides the lyrics for the Symphony. It translates as 'This kiss to the whole world'.)
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| Emmanuel Krivine |
The internationalism
was further enhanced by the announcement prior to the performance that French
conductor Emmanuel Krivine has been appointed the SCO’s Principal Guest
Conductor. He celebrated by leading the Orchestra and Chorus through a lively
and animated performance – both his feet leaving the podium on at least one
occasion!
The fact that two
weeks prior to the Euro election the SCO chose the European anthem to play was not lost
on people in Glasgow – the fact that it was delivered by a French Conductor,
and Scottish orchestra and German soloists was also a positive note!
The large audience
gave a massively enthusiastic reception to what was an excellent interpretation
of a classic piece. I know which city I preferred to be in last Friday!
Edinburgh on the other hand gave a masively enthusiastic Kuß off to Falange, sorry Farange.
ReplyDeleteIndeed! After the last time, I would have expected no other!!
ReplyDelete