Stimulating programming and powerful performances from Lawrence Power, the Philharmonia and Gustavo Gimeno

Gustavo Gimeno (© Marco Borggreve)

Gustavo Gimeno (conductor)
Lawrence Power (viola)

Philharmonia Orchestra

Thursday 1 June 2017

Royal Festival Hall, London

★★★★



Ligeti: Concerto Românesc

Salonen: Pentatonic Etude for Solo Viola

Bartók: Viola Concerto, Sz 120

Mahler: Symphony No. 1 in D major, 'Titan'

Ligeti: 'Gimeno elicited energy and spark from the Philharmonia players, as well as many commanding solos'.

Salonen: 'Power communicated with great conviction, proving a strong advocate for this striking miniature'.

Bartók: 'Power maintained the level of intensity (...) communicating constantly with Gimeno and the orchestral players'.

Mahler: A 'tightly controlled performance, with moments of great delicacy as well as power'.

Read my full review on Backtrack here.

Powerful Prokofiev and Scriabin from the Philharmonia and Salonen

© Clive Barda

Esa-Pekka Salonen (Conductor)

Philharmonia Orchestra

Lang Lang (piano)

Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet, excerpts

Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C, Op. 26

Scriabin: La poème de l'extase, Op. 54

Royal Festival Hall

Thursday 3 December 2015

'The violent conclusion was truly frightening, with Salonen delivering maximum venom'.

'More than a curtain-raiser, this was a powerful performance, whetting the appetite for more Prokofiev to come'.

'A performance with moments of excitement marred by a lack of focus or a sense of partnership between pianist and orchestra'.

'Salonen and the Philharmonia players maintained a wonderful level of delicacy'.

Read my full review on Bachtrack here.