The Philharmonia's 80th-anniversary year concluded on a high note, with a triple bill that transported the audience across Europe and into the realm of climate activism. The evening's first half centered around Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, whose tone poem En Saga was revived by conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali after years of neglect. This dark, evocative work showcased Rouvali's versatility as a musician, coaxing out dramatic nuances in the score.
However, it was Turkish composer Fazil Say who stole the show with his seven-movement piano concerto, "Mother Earth". Premiering in the UK for the first time, this ambitious work is an urgent wake-up call to the climate crisis. With its eclectic instrumentation – from thunderous percussion to handheld devices imitating birdcalls – Say's music paints a vivid picture of our planet's natural wonders and the devastating consequences of neglect.
At its best, "Mother Earth" was exhilarating, particularly in its depiction of seismic storms and tropical forests. The pianist Fazil Say brought an infectious energy to the performance, navigating complex passages with ease and showcasing his virtuosity. One notable moment saw him play a haunting zither-like passage using only his left hand while manipulating the strings within the piano.
If Say's work is meant as a warning, it was effectively juxtaposed with Dvořák's Eighth Symphony, which offered an almost entirely upbeat counterpoint to the climate emergency. The Philharmonia's rendition of this classic was characterful and engaging, with meaty string tone and secure horn playing. Rouvali's interpretation struck a perfect balance between Brahmsian classicism and folk idioms, making for an amiable but urgent performance.
Ultimately, Say's "Mother Earth" was the evening's true showstopper, its urgent message resonating long after the curtain fell. As the Philharmonia looked to the future, it seemed clear that this pioneering composer would be a key voice in shaping the musical response to our planet's most pressing crisis.
However, it was Turkish composer Fazil Say who stole the show with his seven-movement piano concerto, "Mother Earth". Premiering in the UK for the first time, this ambitious work is an urgent wake-up call to the climate crisis. With its eclectic instrumentation – from thunderous percussion to handheld devices imitating birdcalls – Say's music paints a vivid picture of our planet's natural wonders and the devastating consequences of neglect.
At its best, "Mother Earth" was exhilarating, particularly in its depiction of seismic storms and tropical forests. The pianist Fazil Say brought an infectious energy to the performance, navigating complex passages with ease and showcasing his virtuosity. One notable moment saw him play a haunting zither-like passage using only his left hand while manipulating the strings within the piano.
If Say's work is meant as a warning, it was effectively juxtaposed with Dvořák's Eighth Symphony, which offered an almost entirely upbeat counterpoint to the climate emergency. The Philharmonia's rendition of this classic was characterful and engaging, with meaty string tone and secure horn playing. Rouvali's interpretation struck a perfect balance between Brahmsian classicism and folk idioms, making for an amiable but urgent performance.
Ultimately, Say's "Mother Earth" was the evening's true showstopper, its urgent message resonating long after the curtain fell. As the Philharmonia looked to the future, it seemed clear that this pioneering composer would be a key voice in shaping the musical response to our planet's most pressing crisis.
it was SOOO good! i had no idea they even put pickled onions on top 
but like, why not?! anyway back to music... i felt so inspired by Fazil Say's piano concerto it's like he took all these different sounds and just went "hey let's make a piece about the planet" 
and I gotta say that "Mother Earth" is like this huge wake-up call for climate change 
his use of unconventional instruments really added to the emotional impact of the piece. It's about time someone used music as a platform for climate activism 
. The way Rouvali conducted Sibelius' En Saga was nice too, but Say's performance was definitely the highlight of the evening 
I was totally blown away by Fazil Say's piano concerto "Mother Earth" last night! It's like he took all the emotions and warnings from climate activism and poured them into this incredible piece of music 
. But what struck me was how Say's music balances being super urgent and warning us about the planet's state, yet still leaves room for beauty and hope 
. It's like he's saying "hey, we need to act now, but let's also find some solace in the natural world". That message really resonated with me 
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. And don't even get me started on the birdcalls – it's just ridiculous. The Philharmonia should've stuck with a more traditional approach, like Dvořák's Eighth Symphony was, which is already a masterpiece 
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, and I gotta say, Fazil Say's "Mother Earth" was mind-blowing!!! The way he incorporated sounds from nature into the concerto was so cool! I loved how the pianist brought his own energy to the performance - it was like he was literally talking to us about the state of our planet 
his music is like a wake-up call for our planet and i love how he incorporated all these unique sounds to paint this vivid picture of the natural world 
and yeah dvořák's symphony was a great contrast, but let's be real, Say's "Mother Earth" is where it's at 
. I love how the Philharmonia brought it to life with such energy and passion - Santtu-Matias Rouvali really knows his stuff 
. Meanwhile, Dvořák's Eighth Symphony provided a welcome respite from the urgency, its lush strings and lively horns reminding us that music can be both beautiful and uplifting 
. Rouvali's thoughtful programming ensured that neither work felt like an afterthought, instead forging a seamless dialogue between old and new 
. As we face the climate crisis, it's reassuring to know that composers like Say are using their artistry to sound the alarm – and that music can be both a source of hope and inspiration 
The way he incorporated environmental sounds and instrumentation into his music is pure genius. It's like he took the entire climate crisis and put it into a musical form that just works 
. And Fazil Say's performance? Absolutely electric 
. I think Fazil Say's "Mother Earth" was like a slap in the face, a wake-up call for all of us to take care of our planet. The music was amazing, but more importantly, it made you feel something - like, we're really running out of time. And you know what? It worked! People were clapping and crying at the same time... that's how impactful it was 
The Philharmonia did a great job with their rendition, but let's not forget that the real showstopper was Say's innovative and urgent work.
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. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for exploring new sounds and styles, but let's not pretend that this was some groundbreaking masterpiece 
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... as a climate activist myself, it was like he directly spoke to my soul 
anyone who thinks classical music is boring needs to hear this!