Work: The Miraculous Mandarin, Op.19: Suite

A programme heavily skewed to the balletic saw the BBC Symphony Orchestra under Josep Pons dispatch difficult passages with ease.

A unique, but at times frustrating performance of Brahms’ First Piano Concerto demonstrates Víkingur Ólafsson's qualities, but it's in Bartók's The Miraculous Mandarin that the LPO really comes alive. 

Jukka-Pekka Saraste’s Pittsburgh program makes a strong impression in coloristic works from the early 20th century, while pianist Tom Borrow has a memorable debut.