Live, Video: Find classical music concert, opera, ballet and dance reviews | Variations on a theme by Paganini, for piano and orchestra

Finding wit and introspection with Psappha in their 2018/19 season opener

“Our business is rejoicing, our business is rejoicing.” In the Soviet Union, composers quickly learnt when to toe the Party line.

In Amsterdam, Mariss Jansons conducts the Concertgebouw orchestra in a selection of six stunning rhapsodies for large orchestra.

Rarely does one see five grand pianos in one room, let alone on one stage. Enter the 5 Browns, a classical piano quintet. Siblings and Juilliard graduates – they were the first family to be enrolled at the Juilliard School simultaneously – it is clear this family has talent. Performing individually and together, this young ensemble has a vivacious and affable approach to classical music.

On a hot, humid summer’s evening, Sakari Oramo made his debut as Chief Conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra. That the occasion was the first night of the BBC Proms 2013 didn’t seem to bother him. The Finn’s combination of serenity and confidence – and just enough passion to assure us that he was enjoying it – set the tone for an intriguing, if oddly assembled programme.

Mariss Jansons und das BRSO widmen zusammen mit Pianist Denis Matsuev einen Abend der Rhapsodie. España ist dabei der Ausgangspunkt für den Abend, bei dem Matsuev nicht vollkommen überzeugen kann.