Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra, Yuri Simonov

Shostakovich Festive Overture
Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No.3
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Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition

When Russian composers celebrate, they really celebrate, and Shostakovich’s Festive Overture is the musical equivalent of a double-shot of vodka, downed in one. It’s a fabulously tuneful way to light the blue touchpaper on a whole evening of Russian fireworks from the Moscow Philharmonic – the great Russian orchestra that premiered several of Shostakovich’s symphonies.

But tonight it’s all about colour: as the Philharmonic’s celebrated music director Yuri Simonov conjures the dancing chickens, glowing skulls and flying witches of Mussorgsky’s P_ictures at an Exhibition_. Russian music simply doesn’t get any more brilliant or more entertaining – unless, of course, you’re lucky enough to witness a top-flight pianist in Rachmaninoff’s sweeping Third Piano Concerto.

It’s said that this Everest of romantic piano concertos demands a pianist with hands of steel and a heart of gold: and former BBC Young Musician of the Year Freddy Kempf has both.