Kavakos, London Symphony Orchestra, Gergiev, Barbican Hall

Hard-driven programme from the febrile Russian conductor and a searing violinist

by David NiceWednesday, 23 March 2011

Valery Gergiev: Tchaikovsky in black and whiteAlberto Venzago

Heavy-goods vehicles stacked with lamentations have been thundering through the Barbican Hall. Saturday's lugubrious Rachmaninov found a mid-20th-century counterpart last night in the tough elegies of Shostakovich's First Violin Concerto - apt for a dedication to those affected by the Japanese earthquake. And the tottering juggernaut of not-quite-great-but-living Russian composer Rodion Shchedrin still clogs the LSO's current season, fortunately in this case only to head a procession ending in the carnival float of what should have been Tchaikovsky's springiest symphony.

The high-kicking variations of Tchaikovsky's finale had point and style, but never a moment to breathe or beguile

Explore topics

Share this article

The future of Arts Journalism

You can stop theartsdesk.com closing!

We urgently need financing to survive. Our fundraising drive has thus far raised £33,000 but we need to reach £100,000 or we will be forced to close. Please contribute here: https://gofund.me/c3f6033d

And if you can forward this information to anyone who might assist, we’d be grateful.

Subscribe to theartsdesk.com

Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com. For unlimited access to every article in its entirety, including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces, we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year. We feel it's a very good deal, and hope you do too.

To take a subscription now simply click here.

And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription?

more Classical music

First Person: cellist Matthew Barley on composing and recording his 'Light Stories' Conceived a year ago, a short but intense musical journey

The English Concert, Bicket, Wigmore Hall review - a Baroque banquet for Christmas Charpentier's charm, as well as Bach's bounty, adorn the festive table

Classical CDs: Woden, waltzes and watchmaking Big box sets, a great British symphony and a pair of solo cello discs

Messiah, Wild Arts, Chichester Cathedral review - a dynamic battle between revelatory light and Stygian gloom This supple inventive interpretation of the 'Messiah' thrillingly delivers the story

Messiah, Academy of Ancient Music, Cummings, Barbican review - once more, with real feeling The seasonal standby returns with heart, zest and grace

Christmas with Connaught Brass, Milton Court review - delightful seasonal fare from Bach to Boulanger Young quintet dazzle with their technical accomplishment and easy charm

Classical CDs: Christmas 2024 The year's best seasonal releases

Giltburg, Bournemouth SO, Wigglesworth, Portsmouth Guildhall review - seemingly effortless élan New chief conductor turns Tchaikovsky waltz king, and a Rachmaninov partnership flows

Bach Mendelssohn Festival, Part I, Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra review - the flame that never died Top-flight performers show how a musical legacy endured

Currie, Hallé, Wong, Bridgewater Hall, Manchester review - sparkle and intrigue Energy and excitement in MacMillan… and then a surprise

Rajakesar, Selaocoe, The Hermes Experiment, Wigmore Hall review - a joyful, fascinating laboratory of noise Celebrating the avant-garde through different cultures

Classical CDs: Vitamins, kings and magic spells A neglected ballet score, romantic piano concertos and contemporary British music

Follow @theartsdesk