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A breath of Finnish fresh air: Rouvali and the Philharmonia on top form in Stravinsky and Adams

By Chris Garlick, 31 May 2019
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“Rouvali might have the knack of persuading us that every work he conducts is a masterpiece”
Reviewed at Royal Festival Hall, London on 30 May 2019
Programme
Adams, The Chairman Dances
Stravinsky, Violin Concerto in D major
Bach, Violin partita no. 1 in B minor, BWV1002: Sarabande
Stravinsky, Petrushka
Monti, Csárdás
Performers
Philharmonia Orchestra
Santtu-Matias Rouvali, Conductor
Pekka Kuusisto, Violin
More Concert reviews
A Resurrection for the ages: Kent Nagano conducts the Philharmonia
Eleanor Knight, 19th March
Any performance of Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony is an event, but this mighty Philharmonia account at the Royal Festival Hall proves extra special. 
*****
A brilliant UK premiere of John Adams’ After the Fall
David Karlin, 25th February
The Icelandic pianist and Finnish conductor make a superb case for John Adams' latest concerto; the Philharmonia play Ravel's Daphnis et Chloé strongly but don't convince completely.
****1
Renes replaces Runnicles in a remarkable Philharmonia Bruckner 8
Dominic Lowe, 19th February
Stepping in for Sir Donald Runnicles at very short notice, Lawrences Renes conducts the Philharmonia in a sleek and vivid reading of Bruckner's magisterial Eighth Symphony. 
****1
Karpman’s opera Balls tells a great story, but overshoots the line
David Karlin, 20th November
An entertaining portrayal of the 1973 “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs is marred by ham-fisted amplification.
**111
Giltburg and Foster celebrate the Philharmonia’s 80th birthday
Nick Boston, 17th November
Boris Giltburg emphasising the expression in not one but two piano concertos, with commanding performances from Lawrence Foster and the Philharmonia.
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Roy Westbrook, 9th November
Alena Baeva impresses in her belated Philharmonia debut, playing Max Bruch’s evergreen First Violin Concerto. 
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More reviews...
Read reviews of
CsárdásIgor StravinskyJohann Sebastian BachJohn AdamsPekka KuusistoPetrushkaPhilharmonia OrchestraSanttu-Matias RouvaliThe Chairman DancesViolin Concerto in D majorViolin partita no. 1 in B minor, BWV1002: SarabandeVittorio Monti
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Chris Garlick
Chris Garlick
Chris Garlick is the co-founder of Signal Gallery in Hoxton. His first degree was in music, training as a classical composer. Chris has written about art frequently in Art of England magazine, Artist and Illustrator for online blogs.