The Hallé marks the end of Sir Mark Elder's glittering career with a farewell concert at the Royal Concert Hall...
Founded by Sir Charles Halle in 1858, the orchestra is based at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall and is held in high esteem by classic music lovers across the UK and Europe.
Elder, born in Hexham in 1947, was Music Director of the English National Opera from 1979 to 1993 before making the switch to his beloved Hallé in 2000. Elder extended his contract in 2013 when he was already the longest serving Music Director at any major English symphony orchestra. That he remained with the orchestra for 24 years, is testimony to his love of the orchestra and his commitment to them.
Tonight the Royal Concert Hall is packed with classical music lovers, barely an empty seat in the entire room. It’s a special night. This is Sir Mark Elder’s farewell concert and anyone that knows anything about classical music has turned up to give him the joyous send off that he so thoroughly deserves, having conducted the Hallé orchestra 42 times in the city over a period of 24 years.
After nearly 25 years as the Hallé’s Music Director, at the age of 77, Sir Mark Elder calls time on a glittering career which includes making Nottingham the Halle’s second home and having revitalised the orchestra and returned them to the upper echelons of British and European classical music.
It’s a carefree concerto full of passion
It’s clear that the Nottingham audience are very familiar with Elder and have a great deal of affection for him. He is the heart of this vibrant and skilled orchestra, he displays a wicked sense of humour and a deep love for his musicians and the audience.
Boris Giltburg is the spectacular soloist for the evening and he performs Rachmaninov’s First Piano concerto to rapturous applause from the audience. It’s a carefree concerto full of passion and joy. Giltburg plays with vibrancy and tremendous skill.
Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 is the second half of the evening. Elder says that the choice of music for tonight’s concert showcases a “fighting spirit, joie de vivre, determination and commitment to music making.”
A standing ovation follows the final section of music. It’s an ovation that lasts several minutes and of which Elder is truly deserving. As he brings down the curtain on a distinguished career Nottingham have given him a fitting send off.
The Hallé played the Royal Concert Hall on Thursday 27th June 2024.
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