On Sunday 22 February twenty of us from the BBCM travelled, in our burgundy BBCM sweatshirts, to the Barbican to hear Beethoven's Symphony No. 4 and Béla Bartók's Duke Bluebeard's Castle.

The evening began with the symphony, a truly spectacular piece. In particular, I appreciated a floating melody and some incredibly fast and clear double bass playing, as well as the skilled use of dynamics.

Michele Kalmandi, as Bluebeard, sang the opening introduction with control and with acute musicality of phrasing and tone. It was later noted (by fellow BBCM audience members) that Bluebeard was not aggressive or scary enough, especially with such a strong Judith.

After the concert some of the audience left during the ovation but the orchestra treated those who remained seated with a breathtaking encore... and then with another! The emotional and very highly recommended Wounded Fields, by the American composer Steve Heitzeg, had some thrillingly beautiful chord sequences followed by the gentle but glorious ending. (exceptionally credible sources - Agnes - inform that the mi-re-do of the ending may often be found in all music from Bach to Brahms)

Following the performances, the group made its way backstage where we thanked and met the Hungarian Ildikó Komlósi who sang the part of Judith in Bluebeard's Castle, and the conductor Osmo Vänäska and his wife, who were born in Finland, but now live in the United States. I learnt that both the Finish and Hungarian languages and people are Uralic.

On our exit, we heard Bluebeard's booming voice as he sang his way out of the building. A night to remember, with an introduction to some arresting pieces, and some sensational playing.

Sam Ellison
BBCM teenage class