Performer: Nelson Freire

Ion Marin and the St Petersburg Philharmonic perform in the beautiful LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura.

A celebration of composer, soloist and orchestral excellence in an eclectic, if slightly eccentric, gala opening program to launch the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra's 2018 season.

Freire convinces in Bach, but soft attack and heavy pedal use make for flat renditions of romantic works.

Take an overture from the Classical period, add a Romantic concerto and finish with a major work from the 20th century – a tried and proven concoction for a balanced orchestral concert. If these works follow a chronological order and become increasingly longer, so much the better.

The Tonhalle orchestra’s new conductor, Lionel Bringuier, was joined by the venerable Brazilian pianist, Nelson Freire, in a fine programme of Romantic music in Zurich.

Mixed fare that Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra and conductor Christopher Warren-Green, with Nelson Freire's performance the highlight.