Hough's high-powered Tchaikovsky PC 2

This was the second performance of Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No 2 in the DFP Hall. The first was given by a visiting orchestra, the Sydney Symphony in an early International Series concert. So, in short, this was the MPO's debut performance in this piece. Prefacing the Tchaikovsky in an unusually composed programme was Handel's Concerto Grosso Op 3 No 1 in a bright and delightful performance; it then involved a lot of stage re-arranging (taking off the harpsichord and pushing on the Steinway grand).

Typical of Hough since the first time we saw him here in Malaysia, his performance of the Tchaikovsky was brisk, virtuoso and business-like. Hardly any dwelling on the more lyrical portions of the concerto, but stressing the fast and furious - with virtuoso handling of the challenges of this second piano concerto. Always hidden behind the first concerto's concert hall and recording popularity, this work deserves more than the occasional performance. The second movement featured a trio - the pianist Hough, leader Markus Gundermann and principal cellist Csaba Koros. This was a contrast in playing styles - with Hough keeping a quiet accompanying role, Gundermann playing accurately but not expressively enough with his bow arm and Koros being the main protagonist in a very impassioned display of wonderful rich-toned cello playing. The finale brought on more fireworks from Hough and he treated the audience to a lovely pentatonic encore (I wonder what this piece was as he did not announce his encore).

After the interval, Bamert and the MPO treated us to one of their better performances in the hall of Sibelius First Symphony. One standout moment in the performance was the fine clarinet playing of Philip Arkinstall. Our guest (Jane who was attending her first concert at DFP) enjoyed the Sibelius immensely.