Review | Paavo Järvi precise and poised in superb Sibelius with HK Phil, Chinese pianist Zee Zee plays her part in a no-holds-barred Liszt Piano Concerto No 2
- Estonian conductor brings out the best from the Hong Kong Philharmonic in Sibelius’ Symphony No 5 and Richard Strauss’ extracts from a ballet score
- On a night of highs, Chinese pianist Zee Zee also sparkles in a performance of Liszt’s Piano Concerto No 2 that mixes power and tenderness
And that question became more pointed after another illustrious guest conductor took to the podium of the Cultural Centre Concert Hall.
Eminent Estonian conductor Paavo Järvi was up this time, directing the HK Phil in a superb account of Jean Sibelius’ Symphony No 5. With all the majesty and undulating contours of a mighty river – as the Finnish composer himself likened it to – it was an engaging performance from start to finish.
No less engaging, albeit from another Klangwelt – Richard Strauss’ “world of sound” – was Friday’s huge opener.
Even if starting with the orchestral battalion required for his “symphonic fragment” from the ballet Josephs-Legende was akin to beginning a dinner feast with a main course, it was, nonetheless, a sumptuous slice of Strauss.
