Prometheus Overture - Beethoven

Paganini Rhapsody - Rachmaninov

Haydn Variations - Brahms

Few lunchtime orchestral concerts in the National Concert Hall have been in the same league as that given last Tuesday by the National Symphony Orchestra and conductor Gerhard Markson. The substantial programme was a good start. But everybody on the platform seemed inspired by the presence of Pavel Nersessian as the piano soloist in Rachmaninov's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.

Nersessian's command of this music's technical challenges had a transcendent quality which made virtuosity serve pure expression. At all levels of volume and speed, his subtle changes of tone were remarkable. Successive variations were connected to make large groups, contrasted in tempo and character; and the NSO and Markson were on strong form throughout. This was an inspiring performance - ample yet tightly sprung, and certain of how to make the most of music which needs persuasive performance.

Beethoven's Prometheus Overture and Brahms's Variations on a Theme by Haydn showed those qualities which have made the NSO and Markson a winning combination on many occasions. It was their second performance of the Brahms over the last year or so, and this one was at least as intelligent and purposeful as the last. It was also more convincing. Subtle colouring and shaping of part writing, plus timing which led towards a summatory final variation, made this a performance to remember.