Ashkenazy and the Philharmonia: no fireworks, just the joy of music-making

Vladimir Ashkenazy

Vladimir Ashkenazy (conductor)
Veronika Eberle (violin)
Antoine Tamestit (viola)

Philharmonia Orchestra

Thursday 16 March, 2017

Royal Festival Hall, London

★★★★

Veronika Eberle (© Marco Borggreve)

Schubert: Rosamund, Princess of Cyprus: Overture

Mozart: Sinfonia Concertante for Violin and Viola in E flat major, K364 (K320d)

Elgar: Symphony No. 1 in A flat major, Op. 55


'There were no fireworks, no empty gestures, but with low-key style .... he presented intelligent and engaging readings of three contrasting works'.

Mozart:
'a performance with great elegance and beauty'.

Antoine Tamestit (© Jose Lavezzi)

Elgar:
(Adagio): 'Ashkenazy presented a reading that was touching and almost fragile at times'.

'The effect was suitably exhilarating, concluding a thoroughly engaging and lively performance'.



Read my full review on Backtrack here.

Energy and boyish excitement from Ashkenazy in Rachmaninov

Esther Yoo
 © Marco Borggreve

Vladimir Ashkenazy (conductor)
Philharmonia Orchestra
Esther Yoo (violin)

Rachmaninov: The Rock, Op. 7
Sibelius: Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47
Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Op. 44

Royal Festival Hall
Thursday 3 March 2016


'Fresh and energetic performances'.

'Ashkenazy seemed full of almost boyish excitement'.

(on the Sibelius): 'This was an authoritative performance, with every note in place'.

(on the Rachmaninov, Symphony No. 3): 'Ashkenazy drew a lush, rich sound from the Philharmonia'.

Read my full review on Backtrack here.