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Despite wonderful contributions from Stanislav Kochanovsky and the Orchestre de Paris, a disappointing opening to the Philharmonie's Rachmaninov Weekend. 

Xian Zhang brought out the beauty of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s engaging sound and soprano Fatma Said gracefully beguiled us with Strauss.

Steven Osborne consults the audience on the choice of encore following a fine performance of Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto no. 2, part of an all Russian programme which the CBSO played with zealous committment.

A dazzling Sibelius Violin Concerto from Esther Yoo, and fresh and energetic Rachmaninov from Ashkenazy and the Philharmonia.

On Friday 4 October at the Maison Symphonique in Montreal, Show One Productions in association with l’Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal presented the visiting Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra of St Petersburg conducted by its music director for the last 25 years, Valery Gergiev.

If the graphic design of a concert programme can be said to shape our expectations of the event then the Philharmonia Orchestra’s 2012/13 booklet, on which the press verdict “blazing originality” is encircled by red-hot flames, had perhaps set its sights rather high. Thursday’s concert, however, did not disappoint.