Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra, Martin Yates (guest conductor), Victor Sangiorgio (piano)

Familiar and sterling, Butterworth’s ‘Two English Idylls’ (based on Sussex folksongs) and Warlock’s ‘Capriol Suite’ (antique dances) evoked the nostalgia of 20th Century ‘English Music’. Relaxed and happy we were ready to concentrate on Ireland’s Piano Concerto, a much more complex and exciting work. Victor Sangiorgio gave a masterly performance of the fiendish piano part and Martin Yates maintained the charm, tension and magic in the orchestra too. He then conjured up more wonderful sounds in Moeran’s posthumous Second Symphony, recently completed by Yates from sketches. From its first stirring fanfares to the grand maestoso coda, this was a triumph!

Concert Hall, Brighton Dome, 9 December 2012

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