Lighthouse, Poole

Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Kirill Karabits
Wednesday 1 May 2013, Lighthouse, Poole

By Mike Marsh, Bournemouth Echo

“Those masters of melody, Brahms and Dvorak, reigned supreme at this packed concert with the Piano Concerto No2 by Brahms starring the brilliant Sunwook Kim.

A pianist of cogent authority, as was so readily apparent here, his steady pace in the opening movement added a sense of poetry to the melodic phrases, innate power to the solos and majesty in conclusion.

Kirill Karabits, as always, was empathetic to Kim’s finely nuanced reading; supporting the contrasts of the Allegro appassionato in which Kim’s off-the-seat responses conveyed the intense bursts of ardour.

Brahms’ luscious cello tune from Jesper Svedberg began the Andante, and though never shared with the piano Kim’s hushed tones rolled towards its reprise with exceptional serenity. The finale alternates bravura with pulsating rhythmic drive and all with a delightful degree of amiable good humour.”