Edward Gardner conducts the Philharmonia

The outgoing music director of the English National Opera, Edward Gardner, steps out of the opera pit and on to the concert platform to conduct the Philharmonia Orchestra in an evening of Mendelssohn, Mozart and Mahler.
Gardner’s tenure at the ENO since 2007 (he was appointed when he was only 31 years old) has been regarded a great success, and he was a popular choice for the Last Night of the Proms in 2011. In October 2015, he becomes chief conductor of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, just as they celebrate their 250th anniversary.
This concert starts with The Hebrides overture, also known as Fingal’s Cave, which Mendelssohn wrote after a visit to the mysterious cathedral-like cavern on the remote island of Staffa. The ten-minute piece depicts the awe-inspiring beauty of the cave at the mercy of the elements. Gardner’s recording of the work for Chandos records, as part of a cycle of Mendelssohn recordings with the CBSO, has been well-received. “He characterises the land- and seascape ... with a good ear for storm, surge and serenity”, wrote a Telegraph reviewer.
Complementing the natural world of the Scottish Western Isles, is Mahler’s First Symphony, evoking the re-awakening of nature after a long winter. The piece also has the familiar children’s nursery rhyme Frère Jacques played in the minor key.
Sandwiched between the two is Mozart’s Piano Concerto in C minor K. 491, with the young Korean, Sunwook Kim. Since winning the Leeds Piano Competition in 2006 - the youngest to do so in 40 years - Kim’s career has blossomed and matured. It will be interesting to hear how he tackles the intensity and poignancy of this magnificent concerto.