A long-awaited debut from Víkingur Ólafsson at the BBC Proms

By Gus Mitchell, 16 August 2021

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“Ólafsson seems to descend into the piece’s sphere and to invite the audience down with him”

Reviewed at Royal Albert Hall, London on 14 August 2021

Prokofiev, Symphony no. 1 in D major "Classical", Op.25

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

Mozart, Piano Concerto no. 24 in C minor, K491

Bach, Trio sonata in E Minor, BWV528 (Andante trans. Stradal)

Liszt, Ave verum corpus

Shostakovich, Symphony no. 9 in E flat major, Op.70

Víkingur Ólafsson, Piano

Philharmonia Orchestra

Paavo Järvi, Conductor

Benedetti ablaze with the Philharmonia

Christopher Woodley, 19th April

As gifts to the Philarmonia's 80th birthday season, Nicola Benedetti gives a barnstorming account of Elgar's Violin Concerto before Cristian Mӑcelaru gets emotionally drained by La Mer.

*****

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

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Gus Mitchell

Gus is a recent graduate in English from Trinity College, Cambridge. He is especially attracted to music of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the piano and its history.