Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra, Freddy Kempf (piano & conductor)

When the soloist is pleased to conduct, we get to experience so much more of his musical imagination. Many in the audience have keenly followed  Kempf’s career since he was a boy wonder. Now the fully-fledged maestro teased us with the tentative opening of Rossini’s ‘Semiramide Overture’ before gradually building up the tremendous crescendo.

Then as soloist his still youthful energy and great talent shone in Beethoven’s 3rd Piano Concerto, especially during the cadenza and the sublime Slow Movement, clearly his showpiece.

Dvorak’s 7th Symphony is full of Czech folk tunes and dance rhythms that repeatedly build to exciting climaxes. Kempf’s vigorous interpretation earned long applause for him and this fine orchestra.

Dome Concert Hall, 11 November 2018

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