Oeuvre: Symphony no. 1, Op.9

Despite the presence of Rachmaninov's Second Piano Concerto on the bill, it is a gripping performance of Samuel Barber's First Symphony that steals this Usher Hall Sunday matinee. 

A showcase of works from the past century by Clyne, Prokofiev, Stravinsky and Barber allow the Hong Kong Sinfonietta to shine under Ken Lam's baton at Hong Kong's City Hall. 

Alsop and the London Philharmonic do full justice to Barber and give Soltani's cello superlative support in Shostakovich, but sound inappropriately restless in Brahms.