London Philharmonic Orchestra, Kristóf Baráti (violin), Andrés Orozco-Estrada (conductor)

A truly thrilling programme of music opened with Mendelssohn’s Overture for A Midsummer Night’s Dream, featuring divinely shimmering woodwind. Khachaturian’s Violin Concerto served as a showcase for Kristóf Baráti, whose dashing, lively phrasing brought a somewhat frilly piece to life. His sheer determinism, dextertiy, and steely gaze brought a sense of flair and panache to the evening that was invigorating, almost salubrious even. Richard Strauss’ Macbeth tone poem was a boisterous highlight, with tumultuous, mesmeric cymbal playing and a sense of danger and power about the whole thing. Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite (1919 version) is a 19 minute distillation of the original ballet, and was a suitably striking conclusion, while the brooding cello opening was carefully bowed and well managed by conductor Orozco-Estrada.

Concert Hall, Brighton Dome, 27 February
Rating:
Joe Fuller