Ludwig van Beethoven: Egmont Overture, Op. 84
Symphony No. 8 in F Major, Op. 93
Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67
Riccardo Chaily, Filarmonica della Scala
Antwerp, Queen Elisabeth Hall, 23 January 2020
Beethoven (1804) by Mähler
No escape is possible. Beethoven was born 250 years ago and quite naturally features very prominently in concert programmings throughout the year. Riccardo Chailly and the Filarmonica della Scala, on a visit to Antwerp, made no apologies with a deceptively simple all-Beethoven bill consisting of the Egmont Overture and Symphonies 5 and 8. In effect, it was not all that simple, as turning these overfamiliar pieces into a refreshing and exhilarating concert experience is no mean feat. But that’s exactly what they did tonight.
I used mostly my ears 