Kirill Gerstein plays Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini with the RSNO and Thomas Søndergård — alongside Shostakovich’s vast Symphony No. 11.
Programme
Knussen Flourish with Fireworks
Rachmaninov Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
Shostakovich Symphony No. 11 in G minor, ‘The Year 1905’
Kirill Gerstein (piano)
Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Conductor: Thomas Søndergård
Monday 3 August 2026 · 7pm–c9.05pm
Royal Albert Hall
Listen on BBC Radio 3 / BBC Sounds
Preview
The inclusion of Oliver Knussen’s concert opener Flourish with Fireworks was timely. Knussen wrote the four-minute concert opener in 1988 in tribute to the conductor Michael Tilson Thomas who the composer met at a London Symphony Orchestra concert in 1970. The work sounds exactly as the title suggests. The work is based on notes that reference LSO and MTT. But it’s a poignant concert opener in this concert. The day after the Proms 2026 was announced back in April, news of Michael Tilson Thomas’ death from a brain tumour was announced, only a couple of months after his partner of 50 years had also died.
Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini continues the showy nature of the first half. A guaranteed hoot, brimming with virtuosity and daredevil twists and turns from orchestra and soloist alike. The work rewards a brisk, unsentimental approach — fast allegros keep the attention, and the reflective contrasts land better when they’re not overdone. Linger too long on the lyrical passages and the whole thing risks feeling like it’s grinding to a halt. A personal bias, admittedly. Bite me. Ashkenazy’s performance with the LSO and Andre Previn is a benchmark recording.
Review
This review will be published following the concert.
Gallery
Photography will be added once available.
