Lewis and Gardner deliver musical poetry in an all-Grieg program

By Phillip Nones, 13 February 2021

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“a wonderfully natural performance, equal parts bravura and lyricism”

Reviewed at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow on 12 February 2021

Grieg, Peer Gynt Suite no. 2, Op.55

Grieg, Piano Concerto in A minor, Op.16

Grieg, Peer Gynt Suite no. 1, Op.46

Royal Scottish National Orchestra

Edward Gardner, Conductor

Paul Lewis, Piano

Elgarian emotion from the Benedetti, Karabits and the RSNO

Simon Thompson, 15th May

Nicola Benedetti’s Elgar is a slow burn in Edinburgh’s Usher Hall, but Kirill Karabits’ Firebird instantly ignites.

****1

Stephen Hough makes a convincing case for Rachmaninov 1 with the RSNO

Simon Thompson, 24th April

On a return visit to the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, John Wilson shapes A London Symphony with melancholy sweep.

****1

Kristiina Poska makes an exciting return to conduct the RSNO

Simon Thompson, 20th March

Kristiina Poska directs the RSNO in gripping Tchaikovsky and Pärt, but words and music only occasionally match in Elena Langer's new song cycle.

***11

Felix Klieser plays Strauss with the RSNO, before Bruckner exodus

Simon Thompson, 21st February

Felix Klieser is quietly remarkable as he plays Strauss' First Horn Concerto with the RSNO, but why did so many people walk out during Bruckner's Eighth Symphony?

****1

Giedrė Šlekytė conducts the RSNO in passionate, exciting Mahler

Simon Thompson, 5th December

Giedrė Šlekytė makes a stellar conducting debut with the RSNO, while violinist Nemanja Radulović has a great look but a disappointingly ordinary sound.

****1

Mahler magic: RSNO opens season with the Seventh Symphony

Simon Thompson, 3rd October

The Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Thomas Søndergård open their season, continuing their Mahler cycle, with the Seventh Symphony.

****1

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Phillip Nones

Phillip Nones studied piano from age six, also playing percussion in educational and civic groups before moving to a rural area of the USA in 1990, where performance opportunities were few. Recently he has started performing again, participating in “side-by-side” orchestra performances and playing percussion in the World Doctors' Orchestra. His personal collection of music includes over 5,000 classical albums in all formats (CDs, LPs, 78s), plus downloads. In his professional life, he heads up a marketing communications firm in the state of Maryland. He blogs about the French composer Florent Schmitt here.

Paul Lewis and Edward Gardner deliver musical poetry in an all-Grieg program