Live at the Royal Albert Hall

A debut performance to remember at the BBC Proms for all the right reasons
This concert, recorded in 2010, marked Lionel Bringuier's début appearance at the Proms. This was not his first performance with either the BBC SO or with Nelson Freire however and it is immediately clear that there is already close understanding between all of these musicians.

The concert starts off with a sizzling performance of the Corsaire Overture by Berlioz. The slow introduction is certainly given full rein for expression and this leads to an exhilaration second part which is exciting enough to raise smiles of enjoyment among the ranks of the orchestra.

Nelson Freire then performs Chopin's second piano concerto. Curiously the Chopin concertos are becoming quite a feature of Blu-ray concerts and this is now the third in my collection. As such it clearly stands apart from both Kissin, who is on top form in this concerto, and Ohlsson, who also provides a fine performance. Both of those pianists are accompanied by the Warsaw PO conducted by Antoni Wit...

Great disc
The Chopin Piano Concerto (I used to play passages of this) is superbly played by Nelson Freire. It is wonderful to see such a great new young conductor; all smiles and totally in control with his inspiring leadership.

Expectations Met
I acquired this DVD for the express purpose of finding out if all of the excitement and positive reviews that have been reported about this young conductor in the print media were warranted. They most definitely are!...and then some. Maestro Lionel Bringuier brings to the podium an extremely sensitive and nuanced understanding of the music on display in this album. I am thrilled to know that he is deserving of all the kudos lavished upon him and I'm looking forward to following his future career.

Mr. Freire's performance of the Chopin No.2 is brilliant, both strong and romantic in all of the right places. The collaboration between conductor and pianist couldn't be better and the BBC Symphony Orchestra is perfection throughout this entire album.

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