Beethoven, Pekka & Dreamers’ Circus
★★★★★
Everything blends together into a transcendent night celebrating music!
As the show begins and the three major components, Pekka Kuusisto, Dreamers’ Circus and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, take their place, Kuusisto jokes about a rushed rehearsal time and remarks “Chances are it is going to work quite well”… A prediction that is certainly realised by the end of the work. From the start we are treated to a relaxed tone, with no pretension or hierarchy. This is simply a night of talented musicians celebrating music that they love.
As we are taken through several differing pieces of music, there is a clear sense of narrative. A story is unfolding that is all about celebration. Celebrating each and every player’s talent, the composition of the work and the folk music of countries including Denmark, Norway, Switzerland and more. The pieces transition incredibly well into each other and allow the audience to get lost in the symphony, only briefly brought back to Earth by comedic interchanges with Dreamers’ Circus.
As the overall show is so skillfully presented, it feels unkind to not applaud each component part of the evening. Dreamers’ Circus introduces us to the night, and are interspersed throughout the movements of Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony. Ale Carr, Nikolaj Busk and Rune Tonsgaard Sørensen are musicians operating at the top of their game. They each display a virtuosity and work incredibly with each other. What is striking is how free flowing they seem to be on the stage, while they work through some tightly composed pieces, they are clearly enjoying every second and experiencing the music with us.
The guest conductor of the piece is Pekka Kuusisto, who commands every second of every movement that the Orchestra plays. He skillfully dictates the tempo, volume and rhythm, and has the attention of every eye in the band, and of the audience. If he was not impressive enough, within the final pieces of the night, he conducts while playing his violin. He masterfully plays each note with passion, while still demanding the attention of each musician and controlling every note that is heard.
Finally, the night would never have been complete without the skills and work of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. This is the definition of a well oiled machine. The synchronicity of this Orchestra is impressive from the moment they take their seat, until their final, well deserved standing ovation. It is regrettable that there is not enough space to individually mention each and every musician within the group and applaud them for their efforts, because it is the least they all deserve. They get lost in the music, and the instruments become extensions of their limbs. They match the showmanship and energy of Kuusisto and Dreamers’ Circus throughout the runtime.
If there is ever a chance to catch any part of this night live, it would be a sin to miss it. These are artists at the top of their game, producing inspiring work that should be heard by as many people as is humanly possible.