Fireworks and Fantasy from the Sydney Symphony

By Oliver Brett, 25 March 2012

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Reviewed at Sydney Opera House: Concert Hall, Sydney on 23 March 2012

Gyger, On air (World première)

Prokofiev, Piano Concerto no. 3 in C major, Op.26

Berlioz, Harold en Italie, Op.16

Vladimir Ashkenazy, Conductor

Roger Benedict, Viola

Behzod Abduraimov, Piano

Ashkenazy and Shoji brings effortless profundity to London

Young-Jin Hur, 28th November

Where great things take effort, truly great things happen naturally. Shoji's Brahms was the highlight of the evening.

*****

Autumnal Schumann and volatile Tchaikovsky in Singapore

Chang Tou Liang, 3rd October

Gautier Capuçon is the soloist in a fine reading of Robert Schumann's Cello Concerto, where sheer outward display gave way to more musical values.

****1

Viktoria Mullova's intense Sibelius in Auckland

Simon Holden, 12th September

In the exquisite singing line of the second movement, the appeal was not just in her beauty of tone but in the concentrated feeling Mullova brought to the shaping of each phrase.

****1

Ashkenazy and the Philharmonia in all-Russian evening

Gus Mitchell, 28th April

The venerable Russian maestro and Conductor Laureate led the Philharmonia in an all-Russian programme with sensitive charm, youthful fire, and emotional range, with outstanding soloist Esther Yoo.

****1

Ashkenazy and the Southbank Sinfonia

Aaron Davies, 16th October

Vladimir Ashkenazy conducts the Southbank Chamber orchestra in a programme dedicated to the interpretation of classical dance forms.

***11

Two faces of Shostakovitch revealed by Ashkenazy and the Philharmonia

Chris Garlick, 29th April

Vladimir Ashkenazy and the Philharmonia explore different sides of Shostakovich in the latest of the Voices of Revolution series.

****1

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Oliver Brett

Oliver Brett is a professional organist, pianist, teacher and choral conductor. He held positions at King's College Cambridge, Westminster Cathedral and Durham Cathedral, and is currently Assistant Director of Music at St Mary's RC Cathedral in Sydney, Australia. He loves classical music of all genres.