A full house greeted the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Orchestra when they arrived at Derby Assembly Rooms. The latest performance in the venue’s concert season boasted a programme of popular choices: Rossini’s William Tell Overture, Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto no. 2 and Dvorak’s Symphony no. 9.  Perhaps it was this selection that attracted so many music-lovers to the Great Hall for the evening, although of equal appeal could have been solo pianist Freddy Kempf. Whatever the reason, the concert was a success all-round – read on for comments from our classical panel:

 

It was a delightful programme with a truly wonderful orchestra and conductor. The Rachmaninov piano concerto was played wonderfully by Freddy Kempf. This concert was extremely well attended and we gave long and loud applause which led to an encore… 

Noreen Johnson

 

The music flowed through a kaleidoscope of marvellous melodies. Freddy Kempf dazzled with superbly expressive keyboard skills – no wonder he broke the piano in rehearsal.  The Lithuanian orchestra thundered along in William Tell and gave an excellent performance of the New World Symphony…

David Blakeley

 

The Overture of William Tell gave a vibrant introduction and the orchestra played with a flair and passion which showed in all the music.  It was an outstanding performance by Freddy Kempf of piano concerto no. 2.  With his interpretation it became even more moving…

Mahala Titterton

 

 

Derby Evening Telegraph, November 2007

 

 

"I like the way Carl Nielsen prefaces the first movement of his Symphony no. 1 in G minor with the unusual instruction allegro orgoglioso (proudly), something more in the province of Edward Elgar perhaps. The Lithuanian National Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Robertas Šervenikas rose to this instruction with brilliant strong tone that was exciting, though with a decided edge to it that evoked icy blasts of winter rather than the delights of Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens.

In Rachmaninov’s 1st Piano Concerto in F sharp minor, the strings’ edginess was abated somewhat to offer a more mellow balance between the orchestral role and Freddy Kempf’s solo piano. <...>

Brahms’ Third Symphony in F major found the orchestral strings again slightly edgy in their delivery of what should be a rounded richness of tone, though they did manage to project plenty of passion in Brahms’ long phrases of the andante, allegretto and final allegro.  There was nice playing, too, from the woodwind section."

Dave Robson, Darlington & Stockton Times, 30 November 2007

 

http://didzioji1.blogspot.com/2010/02/olivier-grangean.html

A reportage published in the blog of the French Cultural Centre in Vilnius, after attending the rehearsal of the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, with Olivier Grangean conducting, on February 4th, 2010. Igor Stravinsky's Le sacre du printemps, mentioned in this reportage, was performed in a concert on February 6th, 2010, at the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Hall.