Performer: Thierry Fischer

Having all but faded from memory, the Swiss composer’s hybrid work takes the audience by surprise. Yet the musical direction and the cast do it justice – in stark contrast to the flat staging.

Conductor Thierry Fischer steps in at short notice to conduct an early work by Messiaen, Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition and Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major – a triumph for all concerned.

An evening of Russian classics at the Royal Festival Hall, where Esther Yoo joins the RPO to play Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto. 

Thierry Fischer led The Cleveland Orchestra in works of Bizet and Debussy flanking Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez with Pepe Romero.

Last Friday evening’s well-planned concert mostly produced some fine playing from both the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Benjamin Grosvenor but had the occasional misfire.