Oxford Philomusica: Sheldonian Theatre (From The Oxford Times)

Oxford Philomusica: Sheldonian Theatre

8:52am Wednesday 9th December 2009

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I must declare an interest: Brahms’s Piano Concerto No 1 in D minor was the first piece of classical music I bought on record, and it remains a particular favourite. So I have no truck with critics who dismiss the work as “overladen with orchestral sound”, and as a further result of that youthful encounter, I prejudicially assume that no one plays the concerto as well as Clifford Curzon on my LP.

However, I immediately give Marios Papadopoulos one thing. He did not hum loudly and out of tune in quiet passages, a definite irritation with Curzon. Papadopoulos played both Brahms piano concertos in a concert marking his 100th appearance in the Sheldonian with the Oxford Philomusica – although, in a twist to confuse the record books, on this occasion he yielded his usual position on the podium to guest conductor Lukas Karytinos.

The D minor concerto set off with a mighty thump on the timpani, properly tense string playing, and rock steady work from the horns. Papadopoulos showed all his usual loving attention to detail and sound colour. Perhaps he missed a little of the grand overall sweep of the outer movements, but the central slow movement spoke to the soul. Conductor Karytinos was an ideal accompanist, being thoroughly aware of the dynamic contrasts that characterise this music – everything from massive explosions to the whisper-quiet, beautifully elegiac, string playing that he drew from the Philomusica.

Even I have to admit that Brahms’s confidence and skill advanced by leaps and bounds in the 20 years that separate the two concertos. Papadopoulos, too, seemed more confident in the masterpiece, four-movement, second concerto, with much decisive phrasing, another elegiac slow movement, and an Allegreto grazioso that really was grazioso.

Again, the orchestral accompaniment was well matched to the soloist.

Amazingly, after championing these two massive concertos, Papadopoulos still had the energy to play a lengthy solo encore. A memorable 100th appearance indeed.

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