The spirit of the symphonic poem and the power of musical storytelling resound in Sheherazade, followed by the percussive force of Prokofiev’s Concerto No.2—like a powerful antidote.

In Rimsky-Korsakov’s symphonic suite Sheherazade, the vivacity and the sense of orchestral effects, supported by remarkable rigour, create an undeniable mood of magic spells and incantations. A masterpiece of Orientalist fantasy, its violin arabesques, epic fanfares and voluptuous melodies are unforgettable. 
In a sharper register, Prokofiev’s Concerto No.2—a daunting feat on piano carried off by Alexandre Kantorow (First Prize at the 2019 Tchaikovsky Competition)—sparked controversy at its premiere: a sense of ‘barbarity’ seemed to emanate from its mechanical style, and it is true that while the work has its mournful moments, the composer imbued it with a phenomenal concentration of energy.