Classical Music · Review
Review – Phibbs Cello Concerto premiered by Guy Johnston
Phibbs’ ideas are quick to comprehend, invention offering the curious listener an opportunity to familiarise them with the material which marginally shifts. In this way even in the faster sections of the first movement, the musical narrative never abandons the audience leaving them lost or confused. In many respects the work is a partnership rather than a tussle, toe-tapping fast-paced jeopardy stylishly contrasted with tense theatrical atmospheres. The cello is at the heart of these shifting scenes, participating in the mid-work climax but never spotlit by them.
Guy Johnston 📷 Mark Allan
It’s virtuosic writing for the soloist but not insurmountable – a noble challenge that Phibbs sets Johnston, not a jaw-clenching career-defining one. There’s a sense it’s a work written for a friend by another friend, rather than a fight to the death written into the score. Most striking of all is the concluding movement. A recurring melodic idea – a simple prayer – that builds slowly, seasoned with a hint of Tavener, concluding wistfully and ambiguously. It’s a bold compositional statement to conclude a bravura work with what might feel like a bit of a whimper, but its conclusion is at the same time felt to be resolute. The programme note says resolution; I veer more towards mild but not unpleasant ambiguity. The applause came quickly, and was confident, resolute and enthusiastic.
Phibbs’ compositional craft is on full display in this concerto, one that consolidates the many musical influences he has into a legible, listenable work. Narrative, orchestration, and structure are a safe strategy that makes this a new work easy to programme. No such difficult second performance likely here, yet the premiere poses an opportunity and a challenge for future conductors to bring out the detail that the BBC Symphony Orchestra likely performing for deferred broadcast didn’t quite succeed in doing. Finding the right balance for the concert hall is what will secure the concerto’s future as part of the repertoire. The next performance, whenever that is scheduled, is the one to watch.
Joseph Phibbs’ Cello Concerto was broadcast on BBC Radio 3 at 7.30pm on Monday 16 February 2026. Listen on catch-up via BBC Sounds for 30 days from broadcast.