London Philharmonic Orchestra, Kirill Gerstein (piano), Vasily Petrenko (conductor)

Vasily Petrenko promised us a romantic early Spring concert but his interpretation of Berlioz’s Overture, Le Corsaire had all the heat of summer. What a stunning Brighton debut!

We were fully energised for Gerstein’s powerful rendition of Rachmaninoff’s ‘Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini’. Petrenko, with elfin grace and a hypnotically expressive left hand, kept the orchestra back, just adding colour to the piano, which allowed them to give so much more for the magnificent big tunes and climaxes.

No one would say Brahms is easy listening but his Second Symphony was reassuring, if a little brisk, after such excitement.

The Concert Hall was full, with plenty of young folk enjoying the LPO NOISE schemes, good seats cheap and a free drink! What’s not to like?

Concert Hall, Brighton Dome, 22 February 2014

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