Conducting a technically secure and musically alert London City Philharmonic Orchestra, Olsi Qinami’s no-nonsense approach built the scenes effectively, particularly the long trial scene leading to Filippo’s judgement.
Both works were played superbly. The piano soloist Angela Szu-Hsuan Wu played what seemed like a technically challenging piece by Rachmaninov with great verve and skill, and deserved the tumultuous applause that followed the performance. After a short interval, the orchestra increased in size, getting ready to tackle “The Rite of Spring”. Olsi mounted the conductor’s stand to face an enormous orchestra.