Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra, John Lill (piano), Barry Wordsworth (conductor)

A lovely Spring afternoon, an excited audience and Debussy’s Prélude à l’après-midi d’un Faune – music heaven! Our senses roused, John Lill, the orchestra’s President, took us to greater pleasure with Rachmaninov’s 3rd Piano Concerto. Majestic, scintillating, romantic and so very powerful, this really was a tremendous performance and the packed Dome roared with delighted applause.

How do you follow that? Well, after an interval of ice-cream and enthusiastic chatter, Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique seemed like a party piece. The orchestra played brilliantly, giving this year’s programme a splendid finale. Next season’s concerts promise to be just as exciting, so book early!

Concert Hall, Brighton Dome, 25 March 2012

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