It’s a lot closer to the action than I was yesterday so I’m seeing things in much more detail. (One reason why I may have underestimated the beard count in round one – I was too far away to see anything but the fuller kind.)
First, Jiri Rozen, content to sit back somewhat in the Sibelius, neat in the way he gave his cues, always in control and conscious of trying to ensure the orchestra fit with the violinist. But did I get the sense that the violinist was looking for more of a response, more connection in the lyrical slow movement, more of an interaction between herself and orchestra?
What’s more, when I arrived through the drizzle at Milton Court one of the staff on duty took me for one of the conductor competitors. Serves me right for making a crack about their rather identikit fashion sense yesterday!
It seems as if we have only just got going, but in order to give everyone an uninterrupted half hour it means the timetable is a bit lopsided. But the players are given the nod and, except for a few percussionists fine-tuning the placement of their numerous bits of kit, they all walk backstage for a coffee.
Toby is a freelance writer and musician and writes for several music magazines, including Classical Music Magazine, for which he interviewed the previous DFCC winner Alexandre Bloch as an introduction to this year’s competition. Some links to his other writing can be found on his website.
