Nikolay Khozyainov and the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra at the National Concert Hall, 15 May 2015

Tonight’s concert brings together two men who have history with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra: the last winner of the Dublin International Piano Competition, who performed with this orchestra in the final, and the orchestra’s widely admired former principal conductor.

Nikolay Khozyainov, who was 19 when he won the DIPC in 2012, is a stunningly virtuosic player. He has an individual way of interpreting both Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21 and the Chopin he plays for his encore. The main thrust of both seems to be to play everything spectacularly fast. This leads to some moments where the contours of Mozart’s writing seem to be ignored, but it is an exciting approach. Khozyainov also has the technique to produce a beautiful pianissimo sound, and he pulls this off to devastating effect on a couple of occasions. The orchestra do not sound their best here, with serious ensemble and balance problems emerging in the slow movement. This is a surprise given the magical touch conductor Gerhard Markson normally seems to have with the orchestra.

Given the difference in the orchestra that emerges after the interval for Mahler’s Ninth Symphony, it is tempting to speculate that the reasons for the above deficiencies stemmed from a decision to focus rehearsal time overwhelmingly on the symphony. Markson coordinates a stunning performance that is almost impossible to complain about. The folk song opening of the second movement lacks a certain forceful rusticity but remains totally convincing, and the orchestra seem to grow more violent (in a good way) as the movement progresses. The ferocious brass section grab attention just as much when required to be soulful and doleful and the entire section are fabulous throughout, the trombones and Colm Byrne’s trumpet solos being particularly brilliant.

Unusually, the most beautiful playing of the evening was probably from the second violins: their part in the final slow movement is particularly exposed and expressive and they seemed to relish being handed the spotlight; this is ravishing and perfect playing.

Programme:

Mozart – Concerto No. 21 in C Major ‘Elvira Madigan’ K467
Mahler – Symphony No. 9 in D