Szeps-Znaider and the RLPO stun, dazzle and exhilarate

Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider and the RLPO rehearsing in Symphony Hall

By Simon Cummings, 07 February 2023

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“even the cows seemed to be frolicking – cowbells-a-go-go!”

Reviewed at Symphony Hall, Birmingham on 6 February 2023

Bruch, Violin Concerto no. 1 in G minor, Op.26

Strauss R., Eine Alpensinfonie (An Alpine Symphony), Op.64

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider, Conductor, Violin

Dazzling Prokofiev from Alim Beisembayev and the RLPO

Peter Connors, 26th April

In an all-Russian programme in Liverpool, Alim Beisembayev gives a breathtaking performance of Prokofiev's fiendishly difficult Second Piano Concerto.

****1

Dependable Mozart and Mendelssohn from the RLPO

Glyn Mon Hughes, 16th April

Aurel Dawidziuk and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra explore darkness and light, although the drama does not always bringing the audience to the edge of its collective seat.

***11

Paul Lewis balances delicacy with power in understated RLPO Beethoven

Glyn Mon Hughes, 12th March

Understatement is key in Paul Lewis' interpretation of Beethoven's Third Piano Concerto with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic under Adam Hickox.

***11

Domingo Hindoyan's warm Bruckner 6 beguiles Liverpool

Peter Connors, 5th February

Schubert and Saint-Saëns provide an elegant first half before a change of tone and pace with Bruckner's Sixth Symphony.

****1

Sidorova mesmerises Liverpool with Tabakova’s Accordion Concerto

Glyn Mon Hughes, 22nd January

An unusual evening of orchestral virtuosity and an ear-opening adventure with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra under Andris Poga.

****1

Lozakovich, Foster and the RLPO: glorious Bruch and Tchaikovsky

Peter Connors, 4th December

Daniel Lozakovich captivated the audience in Liverpool with his Bruch; Lawrence Foster conducted the RLPO in superb performances of less familiar Liszt and Tchaikovsky.

*****

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Simon Cummings

Simon Cummings is a composer, writer and researcher based in the Cotswolds. He composes instrumental and electronic music, exploring aspects of algorithmic composition, and has recently completed a Ph.D. in composition at the Birmingham Conservatoire under the supervision of Richard Causton and Howard Skempton. His musical tastes are ludicrously broad but are focused most on contemporary/avant-garde classical and electronic music. When not composing, he writes regularly about new music; Simon is the author of the contemporary music blog 5:4 (5against4.com), and regularly contributes articles for a variety of books, journals and websites. Follow him on Twitter @5against4.

Szeps-Znaider and the RLPO stun, dazzle and exhilarate at Symphony Hall