Review – BBC Proms 2026: Elgar’s Cello Concerto

Programme

Webern Passacaglia
Elgar Cello Concerto in E minor
Walton Symphony No. 2

Pablo Ferrández (cello)
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor: Vasily Petrenko

Sunday 16 August 2026 · 7.30pm–c9.30pm
Royal Albert Hall

Listen on BBC Radio 3 / BBC Sounds

Preview

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Review

The opening movements of the Elgar Cello Concerto felt strong, solid and robust. There was in the tone and weight of the solo line, a reassuring quality. The work comes with considerable baggage, its popularity underpinned by Jacqueline du Pré’s landmark recording from the 1960s. Whilst the familiar treatment from cellist Pablo Ferrandez met the audience where it was to a certain extent, there were distinctive characteristics that made this feel fuller and more personal – a slightly pulled-back pace in the opening movement, a less fraught sound quality, maybe even something more romantic. The strategy delivered. This felt grounded and incredibly warm. The second movement bridge maintained the sonorous tone, though there were moments when the fluttering scherzo felt a little on the edge, the final resolute end arriving a little flustered. Ferrandez made the work his own in the sorrowful slow movement. The phrasing carried a rounder, fuller tone than the dusky, summery voice caught at the back of the throat I’ve come to expect from this piece – the sound I associate, right or wrong, with du Pré and Barbirolli- height-of-Proms-season Elgar. This felt like a more European reading, though no real evidence could back that assertion up, only a sense that the combination of Ferrandez’s approach and the instrument in his hands was creating something different but relatable. Focus slipped in the bridge to the final movement, underlined by a slightly nervy punctuating chord from the RPO, but proceedings recovered rapidly, returning to form for the rest of the work. The entire work had an earthy kind of realness to it – just the right amount of live jeopardy – to make this an unexpected recommended listen from this year’s season. Surprising it has taken as long as it has to see Ferrández debut at the Proms. His diary must have been very full.

This review will be updated in due course.

Gallery