Donohoe/LPO/Orozco-Estrada, Southbank Centre, London, review: Pianist Peter Donohoe was superb

Andres Orozco-Estrada conducted the London Philharmonic Orchestra, which included a performance of Stravinsky’s ballet ‘Apollon musagète’

Andres Orozco-Estrada conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra at Southbank Centre

The London Philharmonic has now embarked on a year-long musical journey through the 20th century, using Stravinsky’s oeuvre as their focus: works from previous eras are woven in, insofar as they reflect Stravinsky’s enthusiasms. Hence, included in this concert is Carl Maria von Weber’s Konzertstück in F minor for piano and orchestra, whose dandyish virtuosity he greatly admired. Looking a dead ringer for the mature Brahms, Peter Donohoe was the pianist starring here, and one couldn’t have wished for a better advocate for this convivially flamboyant work – with flying hands, and turning on a sixpence between jewelled delicacy and swashbuckling swagger, he carried the performance with benign authority.

He then came back as soloist in Stravinsky’s Capriccio for piano and orchestra, which had been the composer’s tribute to Von Weber. This work took off like a rocket, with abrupt and angular outbursts from both soloist and orchestra which recalled the German composer, but inhabiting a sound-world of super-bright, heightened reality which was Stravinsky’s through and through. After presiding over this work like an affable MC, Donohoe is then gave an encore: Stravinsky’s Tango, abrupt and angular again, but shot through with mischievous cross-rhythms, and delivered with feline force.

The other Stravinsky work in the programme was Apollon musagète, and here guest conductor Andres Orozco-Estrada – whose own movement on the podium was terpsichorean – led the strings of the LPO in a sweetly singing account of this loveliest of all neoclassical ballets.