Work: Piano Concerto no. 2

At first sight, last night’s London Philharmonic Orchestra concert at the Royal Festival Hall was a typical piece of programming: a well known, relatively undemanding opener, a big symphony to close, and a première of a newly written work sandwiched carefully in between.

The latest Sydney Symphony Orchestra concert had everything from French impressionism to a world premiere, to a performance of a much-loved Romantic Symphony. The evening opened with two movements from Debussy’s Images for orchestra. Written originally as a set of three movements, they stand equally well on their own.