Details

Overlooking Lake Worthersee in the small Austrian resort of Portschach, Johannes Brahms set about creating a symphony that captured all he saw: a clear, light day; the infinite beauty of the sunset; the stillness of night; a peaceful awakening and gratitude for another day - the miracle of life. And yet its musicians were to play, said Brahms, as if 'with a ribbon of mourning around their arm'. Such meeting of glowing melancholy and piercing brightness created what many consider Brahms's finest symphony. In contrast Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini is a rapturous and devious dance, played here by the supremely gifted Kirill Gerstein. London Philharmonic Orchestra website.

Cast/Performers

Kirill Gerstein (piano)

Creatives/Company

Company: London Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor: Vasily Petrenko