Review | ‘Breathtaking’: Hong Kong Philharmonic’s all-Russian programme – Vasily Petrenko conducts pianist Boris Giltburg and the Phil playing Rachmaninov and Prokofiev
- Petrenko, who has been rumoured to be taking over from HK Phil’s music director Jaap van Zweden, conducted with calm and fluidity
- Meanwhile, pianist Giltburg spiced things up with clarity, precision and incredible technique, whether playing at a blistering pace or hushed and harp-like
Like a well-balanced curry, full of flavour and lingering warmth, the Hong Kong Philharmonic’s all-Russian programme packed plenty of punch.
It was music-making par excellence and edge-of-the-seat stuff. Moscow-born pianist Boris Giltburg added pinches of chilli to his performance of Prokofiev’s much-revered third concerto, delivering whip-cracking runs with jaw-dropping technique.
Meanwhile, Russian-British conductor Vasily Petrenko (one of the candidates rumoured to succeed the HK Phil’s music director Jaap van Zweden in 2024) coaxed a sound that oozed warmth and substance from the orchestra in Rachmaninov’s monumental second symphony.
Hot and spicy only begins to describe Giltburg’s take on Prokofiev. The percussive detail in each and every note of his lightning quick passages was breathtaking.
With wrists poised in praying-mantis-like fashion, the pianist’s fingers hovered, aligned themselves, and then fell like guided missiles as they struck each and every target with uncanny uniformity. Even from the upper balcony, the extreme clarity and precision was notable from the moment Giltburg’s exuberant allegro broke away from the orchestra’s initial lyrical blossoming.
The HK Phil, far from playing a mere accompanying role, was formidable in dialogue with the soloist. Petrenko’s coolheadedness and fluidity of gesture came across as a pillar of reassurance for the players as he maintained long lines and rhythmic pulse, as steady as can be and never fazed, even as things reached a frenzied pace.
