Argerich grandsons make a splash with the Thailand Philharmonic

David Chen and the Thailand Philharmonic

Roman Blagojevic and the Thailand Philharmonic

By Chang Tou Liang, 19 March 2026

Loading, please wait...

See full listing

“Chen channelled his grandmother’s fiery temperament but also the tendency to rush fences”

Reviewed at Victoria Concert Hall, Singapore on 17 March 2026

Bach, Keyboard Concerto no. 5 in F minor, BWV1056

Ravel, Ma mère l'Oye (Mother Goose): 1. Pavane de la Belle au bois dormant

Tchaikovsky, Piano Concerto no. 1 in B flat minor, Op.23

Ravel, Ma mère l'Oye (Mother Goose): 5. Le jardin féerique

Chopin, Mazurka in C major, Op.24 no.2

Brahms, Academic Festival Overture, Op.80

Tchaikovsky, Romeo and Juliet, Fantasy Overture

Roman Blagojevic, Piano

David Chen, Piano

Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra

Darío Ntaca, Conductor

Energetic Currentzis and Utopia at the Elbphilharmonie

Mengguang Huang, 12th May

From Berg’s crystalline intimacy to Dionysian Mahler, Teodor Currentzis and Utopia defy orchestral tradition with standing musicians, spatial acoustics and an emotional intensity that breathes new life into the concert life.

****1

Korngold and Mahler from Ray Chen, Vasily Petrenko and the RPO

Roy Westbrook, 12th May

Few violin concertos soar from the first bar as Erich Korngold’s does, especially as in Ray Chen's high-wire account at the Royal Albert Hall.

****1

Alexander Malofeev conjures sophistication at the Concertgebouw

Clare Varney, 10th May

Sitting low on the piano stool and with his head gently bobbing from side to side, this is music to listen to on repeat.

****1

Redemption and musical caffeine: Nelsons conducts Mahler 8 in Vienna

Mark Pullinger, 10th May

Sunday morning Mahler at the Wiener Konzerthaus sees Andris Nelsons concluding his symphony cycle with the Vienna Philharmonic in shattering fashion.

****1

Era-defining string sound in the Liverpool Phil’s Mahler 9

Rohan Shotton, 10th May

Domingo Hindoyan nears his five-year anniversary at the RLPO with Mahler's Ninth Symphony.

****1

Billy Childs' Saxophone Concerto sings a song of America

Eleanor Knight, 8th May

Billy Childs Diaspora receives its UK premiere at the Barbican, performed by saxophonist Steven Banks.

****1

More reviews...

Chang Tou Liang

Chang Tou Liang, a native of Singapore, is a family physician by profession. Actively following the classical music scene in Singapore since 1979, he has been a music reviewer of The Straits Times from 1997, contributing over 2300 articles to the national daily. He was also editor of several local musical newsletters and served as Artistic Director of the Singapore International Piano Festival from 2004 to 2008. His blog Pianomania has covered international piano competitions and musical events in four continents. He has a keen interest in travelling, street food and cat photography.

Argerich grandsons make a splash with the Thailand Philharmonic in Singapore