Performer: George Li

George Li's belief in storytelling shows in his Caramoor programme of Schumann, Ravel and Mussorgsky. 

Matthias Pintscher revels in Scriabin's Poem of Ecstasy, once described as a “bath of ice, cocaine and rainbows”, while George Li plays Ravel. 

George Li brings forward unexpected connections in masterly interpretations of works by Ravel and Stravinsky. 

Chinese American Li, once another purveyor of typically scorching performances, is better known these days for his sensitivity and nuance. 

Michael Tilson Thomas had a spectacular debut with Montreal's Orchestre Symphonique. George Li's performance of Liszt's Piano Concerto No. 1 was breath-taking. 

Walton’s First Symphony from 1935 rounded off the evening in a blaze of brassy glory. Petrenko approached the work in a full-blooded fashion, which didn’t always hit the mark, but was ultimately thrilling.