Performer: Lise de la Salle

A most appealing Romantic programme by the French pianist at Sydney's City Recital Hall, played with accurate finesse in search of emotional highlights. 

In a thrilling concert oscillating between lush sentiment and explosive tension, pianist Lise de la Salle and conductor Diego Matheuz lead the NSO through Rachmaninov’s emotional grandeur and Shostakovich’s wartime defiance. 

Russian-Ukrainian conductor Anna Rakitina doesn't quite land on her debut with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, while Lise de la Salle uncovers the lighter side of Rachmaninov. 

An unusual but inspired programme of Riisager, Gershwin and Korngold finds a very receptive audience in Singapore. 

Herbert Blomstedt and Lise de la Salle proved an ideal pair in the rarely heard Piano Concerto no. 2 in D minor with the Philadelphia Orchestra.

The French pianist's approach may be uncomplicated, but crisp articulation, interesting dynamics and a fine sense of shifting moods enliven a recital full of variety.