Performer: Christoph von Dohnányi

The bond between Dohnányi and his old orchestra remains strong. 

Sensational playing from the Philharmonia ended a superb season at the Royal Festival Hall, and allowed a brief escape from the troubles of our times.

Christoph von Dohnányi conducted the CSO in a pair of Mozart symphonies along with a Beethoven piano concerto, the latter with Martin Helmchen in an impressive CSO debut.

Both guest artists of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s concerts this week appeared in Australia for the first time: the octogenarian Christoph von Dohnányi and the versatile violinist, less than half his age, Carolin Widmann. The great German conductor must feel a certain pride in his ancestry, as he kept the Hungarian spelling of his surname.

Smetana’s Bartered Bride overture set the stage for an intriguing new concerto by Richard Sortomme for two violas, followed by Schubert’s “Great” C major symphony.

Dohnányi offers hugely satisfying interpretations of varied programme at the Southbank Centre with the Philharmonia and Carolin Widmann.