Nationaal Orkest van België . Nikolaj Alexejev

Prokofiev's Third Piano concerto has always been the most successful of the five, managing to pair fresh vitality with passionate fervour. Characteristic of Prokofiev are the compact lyrical passages seasoned with spiky dissonance. In this concerto, the Russian master pianist Boris Berezovski is able to let himself go. With his formidable technique and astonishing precision, he dances with the piece, whirling through the notes. The conductor Nikolaj Alexejev has been principal conductor of the Philharmonic Orchestra of St Petersburg since 2000 and is known for his fiery interpretations of the Russian classics. The performance of Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony is in very safe hands. This symphony is a perfect reflection of the Russian soul. It begins in profound melancholy and with a dark sense of foreboding. Thereafter an elegant waltz moves into the third section paving the way for its arrival at a radiant, victorious finish.