London Philharmonic Orchestra, Joseph Swensen (conductor), Liza Ferschtman (violin)

The final show of the season for the LPO opened with a subtly layered rendition of Wagner’s beguiling ‘Siegfried Idyll’. Bruch’s Violin Concerto No.1 soared with beautifully rich tones, and Ferschtman’s playing was distinctive and crowd-pleasing, although there was a little too much sentimental vibrato for this reviewer. The final 45 minutes flew by in a glorious bombastic rush with Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5. The loud and dynamic orchestra captured the purely distilled dramatic and emotional essence in the complex piece in a stunning marriage of melody and technical prowess. A perfect showcase of the transcendent power of live classical music.

Concert Hall, Brighton Dome, 22 March 2014

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