Rachmaninov: LSO/Gergiev ****
Barbican, 11th November 2014
Fluttering fingers and jabbing a toothpick baton, it’s difficult see how an orchestra can follow the beat – any beat – indicated by Valery Gergiev. Yet the London Symphony Orchestra plays for him like demons. It must be in the eyes. Constantly darting, laser-like, from section to section, they cue in soloists, urge on accelerandos and ramp up the dynamics. Under Gergiev’s burning gaze, the LSO carved out a searing Rachmaninov Third Symphony that almost left scorch marks on the Barbican Hall’s wood panelling.
Valery Gergiev
© Alberto Venzago/LSO Live
Read the full review on Bachtrack.