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Colourful contrasts: Ravel and Prokofiev from Grimaud, Nézet-Séguin and the Rotterdam Philharmonic in San Francisco

By Kevin W Ng, 17 February 2015

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“Grimaud dispatched Ravel’s intricate score with insouciant wit and clockwork precision”

Reviewed at Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco on 16 February 2015

Ravel, Ma mère l'Oye (Mother Goose)

Ravel, Piano Concerto in G major

Prokofiev, Symphony no. 5 in B flat major, Op.100

Shostakovich, Suite from The Gadfly for orchestra, Op.97a (Folk Festival)

Hélène Grimaud, Piano

Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Conductor

Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra

Daniel Lozakovich makes his debut with the Rotterdam Philharmonic

Clare Varney, 9th October

Tarmo Peltokoski searches in vain for the harsh brutality in Shostakovich's Leningrad Symphony with the Rotterdam Philharmonic.

***11

The real deal: Tarmo Peltokoski conducts the Rotterdam Philharmonic

Clare Varney, 7th November

Truls Mørk joins Tarmo Peltokoski and the Rotterdam Phil for a deeply emotional reading of Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto no. 2.

****1

Brahms forges a friendship: Yannick Nezet-Seguin returns to Rotterdam

Eleanor Knight, 2nd May

Musical connections between Brahms, Dvořák and Price as Randall Goosby joins the Rotterdam Philharmonic – both as soloist and orchestral member.

****1

Stylish Mozart and vibrant Prokofiev from the Rotterdam Philharmonic

Susan Stempleski, 9th March

The renowned pianist glows in Mozart’s Piano Concerto no. 9, while the rising star conductor impresses in selections from Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet.

****1

Overcrowding suffocates DNO's Traviata

Eleanor Knight, 27th January

Adela Zaharia is cast as a Violetta for whom the party never stops in this revival of Tatjana Gürbaca's busy staging at Dutch National Opera.

**111

Stars, slapstick and soul: Martha Argerich joins the Rotterdam Phil

Eleanor Knight, 28th September

Soaring choral music precedes the arrival of Martha Argerich for a daredevil account of Shostakovich's First Piano Concerto with RPhO Principal Trumpet, Alex Elia.

*****

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Kevin W Ng

Kevin writes about music and culture, with a focus on opera. Originally trained as a violinist, he has a particular interest in 20th-century music. He is currently based in New York City.