Conductor Robin Ticciati declared a minute's silence for the victims of the recent terror attacks before the London Philharmonic delivered a flawless performance of some of France’s great composers.
Led with grace by Ticciati the orchestra floated through the first suite, Fauré’s Pelléas et Mélisande. The whole piece was delicate, but the final movement, more energetic, hinted at the intensity to come.
The orchestra was joined by Louis Schwizgebel for Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G Major, which may have been a challenging piece for the audience, but certainly not for him. Afterwards, he was tempted back onstage by the generous applause.
Ravel’s Valses Nobles et Sentimentales followed, where all the orchestra engaged with full force: a truly encompassing sound.
The final performance of the evening was Debussy’s La Mer, a more relaxed piece that engaged with the acoustics of the sea and wind.
This collection of world class musicians were clearly on form, and performed with professionalism and passion in equal measure.
They will return to the Dome on Saturday, January 16, for a programme of Mozart, Brahms and Beethoven.
Five stars
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