Gardner and the LPO scale Alpine heights with majestic ease

Edward Gardner conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra
© Mark Allan

Steven Osborne (piano)

London Philharmonic Orchestra

Edward Gardner (conductor)

7.30pm, Friday 21 February, 2025

Royal Festival Hall, London

★★★★

León, Tania (b.1943): Pasajes

Grieg, Edvard (1843-1907): Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16

Encore:

arr. Osborne, Steven (b.1971): Londonderry Air

Strauss, Richard (1864-1949): Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64

León:

'Gardner and the LPO gave a precise and energetic performance, with convincing confidence in its challenging rhythms'.

Steven Osborne, Edward Gardner & the LPO
© Nick Boston

Grieg:

'...we were certainly in safe hands, with Osborne delivering an effortlessly commanding performance of the Grieg'.

Strauss:

'From the atmospheric opening, the falling minor string scale prefiguring the glorious major sunrise theme, Gardner had the LPO on a tight leash'.

'Gardner kept a steely control, within which the players could really let rip. And let rip they did'.

'This was a majestic performance, and a glorious conclusion to another fine outing from the LPO, Gardner continuing to impressively raise their game'. 

Read my full review on Bachtrack here.

Edward Gardner & the LPO
© Nick Boston