Friday, September 12, 2025
Concert Hall, Helsinki Music Centre, Mannerheimintie 13 A, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
It’s a while since Dezső Ránki came my way, and, having turned seventy-four the other day, on the strength of this Liszt Second Concerto he remains at the top of his pianistic game, technically unimpaired, with a range of touch, dynamics and phrasal loveliness for the ear, and serene demeanour for the eye. The accompaniment was well-judged, beguiling woodwinds and solo cello, and ensemble bravura. I cannot name Ránki’s encore, almost certainly Liszt, something gentle and intimate. Ránki’s appearance followed three short works by Lili Boulanger: light and sparkling; uplifting and ardent; ceremonial; excellent vocal contributions in pieces two and three. It is perhaps easy to underestimate Rimsky’s Scheherazade, a masterpiece of description and orchestration, colourfully relayed by Kazuki Yamada and the FRSO, without exaggeration yet with character, shape and vividness, and seductively spun solos from leader Petri Aarnio. The webcast was of first-class sound and picture.
Lili Boulanger: D’un matin de printemps
Lili Boulanger: Psalm 24
Lili Boulanger: Vieille prière bouddhique for tenor, choir and orchestra
Franz Liszt: Piano Concerto No.2 in A
Nikolai Rimski-Korsakov: Scheherazade
Jussi Myllys, tenor
Helsinki Music Centre Chorus