Chailly reigns supreme with Fujita and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra

What to expect from an all Rachmaninov concert with one of the world’s greatest conductors? Chailly, as former chief conductor is held in deep affection by the loyal and dedicated audience in Amsterdam and there was a certain buzz in the concert hall as this towering figure in the orchestra’s history made his first return since 2018. The audience were prepared for greatness, and they were not disappointed.

Mao Fujita performing Rachmaninov's 2nd Piano Concerto, full of the innocence of youth — Mao Fujita, the young Japanese pianist, performing Rachmaninov’s 2nd Piano Concerto. You can hear more from Fujita at the Wigmore Hall, London, and both the Lucerne and Verbier Music Festivals in Switzerland later this year. © Eduardus Lee

Riccardo Chailly & the RCO perform Rachmaninov’s Symphony no. 1. Remarkably, only their third performance of this symphony in over 126 years © Eduardus Lee

Chailly is truly a master of his profession. Wonderfully reassuring yet possessing a clarity of expression and articulation rarely witnessed, he was on fire. Clearly energised and inspired from working with such fantastic musicians, he displayed an athleticism more akin to someone half his age.

Inside Het Concertgebouw, a building with so much history © Clare Varney

Het Concertgebouw, Amsterdam on a rather cold and cloudy March day

Reviewed at Het Concertgebouw, Amsterdam on Wednesday 8th March, 2023

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Further listening:

1982 recording of Rachmaninov’s Symphony no. 1 in D minor, Op. 13 with Ashkenazy and the RCO

A recording of Mozart’s Piano Sonata no. 16 in C major, K, 545 from Mao Fujita’s 2022 album of the complete Mozart Sonatas

Reviewed at Het Concertgebouw, Amsterdam on Wednesday 8th March, 2023

Further listening:

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