VIVALDI’S FOUR SEASONS WITH VIOLINIST ALICE IVY-PEMBERTON AND THE LONDON PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA 

By Emma Carney | Bunny Pudding · Digital Coven · @bunnyscopes ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Press Invite

Ever since my first visit to the LPO I have become a total orchestra fan girl. My main spotify play list is now called ‘Classical Coven’ and I’m even thinking about taking up learning an instrument again. So it’s safe to say that when it comes to impact and influence, a visit to watch the LPO can really change one’s life in unexpected ways. When I saw that there was an opportunity to see Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, the scream I scrumpt was pretty high pitched – potentially a C8 for those who know music notes (or those who don’t that’s like Mariah Carey whistle tone high) 

We started the performance with guest Olga Pashchenko who played the harpsichord…now, I’ve always been slightly obsessed with harpsichord’s since I was little and I place the blame squarely on reading and watching far too much Jane Austen as a teenager. Pashcehnko looked ethereal as she played and it was an elevating and energetic performance. Such a treat and something I’d certainly want to listen and watch again given the opportunity. 

The Four seasons was in the second act and conductor Richard Egarr was simply phenomenal and I cannot express how delighted I was when Vivaldi’s Four Seasons began and he took his place in front of a Harpsichord. Dear reader, I swooned. Not only was he playing the blooming Harpsichord…he also conducted an entire orchestra whilst playing said Harpsichord. Get you a man who can do both as they say. It was fascinating watching him work with the orchestra in this way.   

Guest Violinist, Alice Ivy-Pemberton was spectacular, and I’ve said this a million times before, but they just make these violinists different from the rest of us. When she came out looking like a Queen in her green dress I was READY to be blown away, and I was. Having been to the LPO a few times since my first review, I’d never had the opportunity to listen to something that was known to me and well known to everyone else too. Everyone has a favourite part of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and it felt like a rock show when certain parts of the music were played.  Ivy-Pemberton and the orchestra knew this as well and you could see some of their faces when THOSE parts of the music were about to drop…I imagine it must be such a delight to know the audience is going to be elated when you play the next few musical parts. And elated the audience were as we all just vibed and moved forward in our chairs in glee. I LOVED IT. I got emotional a few times if I am honest. There is something wonderful about actually  seeing the performances and all the orchestral components that go into each piece. Ah,again, again. 

The London Philharmonic Orchestra was once again suburb, probably my favourite ensemble of performers ever…keep being fabulous darlings! 

And for those curious, I am a (according to Wikipedia):

 ‘Summer Downpour’ Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 8, RV 315, “Summer” (L’estate) lll.Presto (in G minor)  

*and*

‘Winter Frost’ Concerto No. 4 in F minor, Op. 8, RV 297, “Winter” (L’inverno) 1. Allegro non molto (in F minor)

Fanatic which I think most people are …..and after a bizarre series of events we’ve learned that my cat, Catrick Swayze, is also a huge Vivaldi fan as she gets excited ‘zoomies’ and runs around the living room whenever I play these particular pieces out loud. Such a cultured cat.

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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – If you only do it once in your life please go and watch some classical music that you are familiar with as it’s such a fabulous experience.

Photo Credit: Benjamin Ealovega

PERFORMERS

Richard Egarr Conductor/Continuo
Alice Ivy-Pemberton Violin
Olga Pashchenko Harpsichord

REPERTOIRE

Perry Requiem for Orchestra (7’)
Evan Williams Dead White Man Music (Concerto for Harpsichord and Chamber Ensemble) (31’)
Vivaldi The Four Seasons (45’)