Performer: Louis Schwizgebel

The streamed concert showed the Aurora players' prowess as chamber musicians, joined by the excellent Swiss pianist in music by Mozart, Ravel and a specially commissioned new work by Sasha Scott.

Ulster Orchestra’s Principal Guest Conductor Jac van Steen returns to lead an outstanding evening, culminating in Elgar’s First Symphony. Louis Schwizgebel impresses in Saint-Saens’ Fifth Piano Concerto. 

In Milwaukee, Fabien Gabel pairs a Classical concerto with brilliant orchestral showpieces by Bernstein, Ravel and Florent Schmitt.

With a Francophile programme of Berlioz, Chopin and Franck, conductor Fabien Gabel had the constant challenge of exploring the orchestra for fresh insights into each of these Romantic works.

For a folklore enthusiast like yours truly, the CBSO’s matinee last Saturday seemed the perfect recipe: take some Liszt, a generous amount of Bartók and a pinch of Brahms, then add to the excellent musicians for a delectable musical experience.

Pianist Louis Schwizegebel's captures Mozart's subtlety. But the same virtue was sorely missing in Strauss' profound Metamorphosen.