No score, no encore, just Rattle

I can only imagine what it must be like to play in an orchestra with Simon Rattle conducting, but having seen him live last week I’m guessing it would be intense, fun and a bit nerve-wrecking in case you didn’t achieve the musical colour he wanted.

The music he elicited from the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment was magical; it seemed to directly convey Rattle’s charisma and passion. He didn’t use a score for the Berlioz overture or the two Schumann symphonies on the programme, and this seemed to give him more immediacy with the orchestra. There was quite literally no barrier between him and the musicians.

He almost danced around his little podium as he reached out and gestured to whichever instrument or section whose sound he wanted to bring out. I laughed and smiled and was completely absorbed.

The orchestra, whose trademark is playing on period instruments, doesn’t have a permanent music director and so always works with guest conductors such as Rattle.

It was my first time watching him conduct live and I found it simply brilliant. I can’t wait to see Rattle conduct the Berlin Philharmonic in Brussels in February. Maybe he’ll give the audience an encore this time.

(For those of you who like Desert Island Discs, here is the link to his castaway choices. His chosen luxury was an Italian coffee machine and grinder!)