Werk: Piano Concerto no. 4 "Sharp Keys"

Rachmaninov’s symphonic poem The Isle of the Dead is an intense piece of music. Inspired by a painting by Böcklin, Rachmaninov tells us of the journey to the underworld. The first moments of the piece are crucial to any performance, and Valery Gergiev lead the Rotterdam Philharmonic into a heavy and emotionally laden rendition.

The LSO presented two lengthy, challenging works in this evening’s concert dedicated to the late Maurice Murphy, former principal trumpeter. No doubt Murphy would have been proud of the orchestra’s efforts on this occasion, with the brass section particularly excelling themselves in the Mahler.