Hooked on Beethoven

HOOKED on Beethoven the BSO players, under the dashing captaincy of Kirill Karabits, turned in performances of captivating fluency.

Virtuoso pianist Francois-Frederic Guy delighted in his all-embracing treatment of the Piano Concerto No.1. Powerful play, fluid scale runs and precision attack marked Guy's positive momentum through to the Largo. Here the poised, intimate mood brought finely balanced nuances of artistic insight. The finale's cheerful melody passed between soloist and orchestra in fluent moves, reaching an exuberant climax.

If the early floodlighting on the front benches was under par, the playing of the Overture Leonora No. 1 was pitch perfect.

Launching into the Fifth Symphony with barely a second breath Karabits' rhythmic thrust hurled those famous four notes into the arena with aplomb. There was no point scoring in his highly motivated account, the second movement's graceful episodes separating vigorous excursions in scrumptious musicianship.

Growling exhibitions of lower strings energise the penultimate movement, inciting the entire ensemble to unity of purpose, withdrawing for the final push forward. Here the sweep of the final Presto fully matched this magnificent score with a heart pounding result. And just how many punters lost all this for a rugby game?