Sunday Strauss and Shostakovich from Rouvali and the Philharmonia

Vadim Gluzman and the Philharmonia

Santtu-Matias Rouvali conducts the Philharmonia

By Dominic Lowe, 05 February 2024

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“conveyed a sense of struggle, before a level of defiant jauntiness seemed to creep in”

Reviewed at Royal Festival Hall, London on 4 February 2024

Sibelius, Andante festivo

Shostakovich, Violin Concerto no. 2 in C sharp minor, Op.129

Silvestrov, Serenade for Solo Violin

Strauss R., Tod und Verklärung (Death and Transfiguration), Op.24

Strauss R., Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche (Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks), Op.28

Santtu-Matias Rouvali, Conductor

Vadim Gluzman, Violin

Philharmonia Orchestra

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.

****1

Paavo Järvi and the Philharmonia: a debut and a swansong

Roy Westbrook, 9th November

Alena Baeva impresses in her belated Philharmonia debut, playing Max Bruch’s evergreen First Violin Concerto.

****1

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Dominic Lowe

Dominic Lowe recently completed a degree in Classics, and one of his great interests is the reception of Greece and Rome in opera. A regular opera-goer since his very early teens, he is particularly keen on the hidden operatic gems of the 19th century. He is largely based in the South of England.

Sunday Strauss and Shostakovich from Santtu-Matias Rouvali and the Philharmonia