Fabulous Frang's superb Korngold Concerto

We witnessed a lovely programme at the DFP on 7 December 2013. It was prefaced by a colourful interpretation of Kodaly's Dances of Galanta. The conductor for the night was Martin Sieghart. The soloist for the concerto was Vilde Frang, who had been to the DFP Hall before with some minor Sibelius pieces for violin and orchestra. This time however, she chose the Korngold Violin Concerto and gave us an ultra-Romantic performance. She drew gorgeous sounds from the 1709 Engleman Strad, utilizing many tasteful slides that are appropriate for this very lush and lyrical violin concerto which was composed in 1945. Not only was her technique superb, her interpretation of the Korngold Concerto was of the highest order. The audience loved her performance and gave her a standing ovation. Frang duly obliged by playing a Norwegian folk tune on the solo violin. It was a welcome change from solo Bach Partita and Sonata movements, usually played by violinists who offer an encore here. Frang is a superb soloist and is a fine violinist for the DFP to invite back for another return engagement in the coming seasons. Sieghart gave us a very solid and rounded performance of Brahms' lyrical and autumnal Second Symphony. It was a very well planned and enjoyable programme, well-played by the MPO.