Rachmaninov Fourth Piano Concerto at the Proms

Listening to the stunning performance by pianist Boris Berezovsky I was reminded how a seldom played work can suddenly take on a whole new life when the right forces collide. Such was the case here. The European Youth Orchestra was in great form...as invariably they are...and Antonia Pappano continues to impress as one of the more musical young conductors around. The writing in this work is at time cerebral, and not once do you find Rachmaninov letting your listening path be easy. The first movement does have a haunting second theme, but still it is hard to bring it to mind. The last movement is furious and unrelenting, a macabre scherzo of dazzling speed. Berezovsky took all the fearsome technical difficulties in stride, and managed to project clarity and a crystaline sound that was a joy to hear. Seldom have I heard a Proms audience as enthusiastic as this one, which made for a great listening experience.