Szeps-Znaider and the LPO play a satisfying two thirds of Má vlast

Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra

Kirill Gerstein, Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider and the London Philharmonic Orchestra

By Roy Westbrook, 11 February 2023

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“our inner Bohemian is wonderfully well served by these ideally coherent four pieces”

Reviewed at Royal Festival Hall, London on 10 February 2023

Glinka, Ruslan and Lyudmila: Overture

Rachmaninov, Piano Concerto no. 2 in C minor, Op.18

Rachmaninov, In the silence of the secret night (V molchan'ji nochi tajnoj), Op.4 no.3 (arr. Wild)

Smetana, Má vlast: Vyšehrad (The High Castle)

Smetana, Má vlast: Vltava (The Moldau)

Smetana, Má vlast: Šárka

Smetana, Má vlast: Z českých luhů a hájů (From Bohemia's Woods and Fields)

Kirill Gerstein, Piano

London Philharmonic Orchestra

Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider, Conductor

Karabits and Szeps-Znaider carouse with the LPO

Christopher Woodley, 8th April

The sparkle of Max Bruch's Fecond Violin Concerto and the drama of Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony overcome the gloom of Anna Thorvaldsdottir’s dark forebodings.

****1

Portraits and pictures from Ibragimova, Gardner and the LPO

Roy Westbrook, 1st April

From Three Screaming Popes to Pictures at an Exhibition, a pair of works inspired by paintings frame a violin concerto by Béla Bartók at London's Southbank Centre.

****1

Ticciati and the LPO deliver epic Sibelius plus lively Wennäkoski

Nick Boston, 25th March

Sibelius' Kullervo receives a dramatic performance from Ticciati and the LPO, with strong turns from Shenyang, Miina-Liisa Värelä and the YL Male Voice Choir.

****1

Paavo Järvi marks his new LPO appointment in Tchaikovsky and Sibelius

Mark Valencia, 4th March

Paavo Järvi demonstrates just why the London Philharmonic Orchestra has chosen him as its next Chief Conductor and Artistic Advisor.

*****

Canellakis, Mutter and the LPO at the Elbphilharmonie

Mengguang Huang, 24th February

Anne-Sophie Mutter’s commanding presence meet the London Philharmonic Orchestra’s exceptional adaptability, yielding a concert that balances tradition-steeped authority with modern transparency, rhythmic vitality and the orchestra’s own electrifying spontaneity.

****1

Phoenix Lands: the London Philharmonic blazes with energy

Charlotte Gardner, 4th February

Edward Gardner’s Bacewicz, Martinů, Lutosławski and Janáček set the Royal Festival Hall ablaze.

****1

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Roy Westbrook

Roy Westbrook gained a diploma in music history at London University (Morley College) and was for some years the head of music day schools at Oxford University, where he also led music summer schools. After some years leading the University's business school he has returned to music teaching and writing, and recently took part in the Arts in Residence courses on Bruckner, Mahler and Bach He is co-author (with Terry Barfoot) of a history of opera, and has taught day schools on Sibelius in Oxford and elsewhere.

Two thirds of Má vlast proves wholly satisfying, from the LPO and Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider