Season Opening Concert: Dream Team at Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s season began tonight with a bold statement of intent by conductor Domingo Hindoyan, who welcomed the audience to the new season by asking them to “Cheer new composers and composers you’ve never heard of before in your life” as well as enjoying old favourites, and it is a mark of Hindoyan’s talent that while new pieces are clearly exciting and innovative, he can make familiar pieces seem fresh and draw out new insights from the orchestra.

Tonight’s concert was no exception, demonstrating an orchestra and conductor at the height of their powers. The programme was very similar to that of the orchestra’s offering at the BBC proms this year, with the one change being Roldán’s La Remambaramba as the opening piece. The work by the Afro-Cuban composer brought the air of a Caribbean fiesta to the Philharmonic Hall, with lively dynamics and playful rhythms.

The tone changed significantly with Jennifer Higdon’s Blue Cathedral. Higdon, who wrote the piece following the death of her clarinettist brother, seems to trace the journey of the soul upwards towards heaven. The piece begins with crystalline percussion followed by beautifully played quiet solos. The music gradually increases in intensity, sweeping and soaring, until gently fading away to the shimmering bells played by the percussionists from the Youth Company and In Harmony, showing the orchestra’s and Hindoyan’s ability to convey emotion while always maintaining control.

Venezuelan trumpeter Pacho Flores has long been a favourite at the Philharmonic; his appearance on stage with four different instruments was greeted with a cheer by the audience. Tonight, he played a concerto written for him by the Mexican composer Arturo Márquez, which allowed him to demonstrate the full range of his playing talents – from lightning fast syncopation to mellow contemplation, with the final conga movement terminating in a stunning cadenza displaying both Flores’ virtuosity and sense of humour. His encore of a Venezuelan merengue by Aquiles Báez was met with rapturous applause and a standing ovation. In Flores’ own words, ‘Ay caramba!’

Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 ‘From the New World’ followed after the interval with a performance that was as spectacular as it was compelling. The influence of the African-American spirituals that Dvořák heard while in the US are clear while the work also has echoes of the style of Schubert and Beethoven and Czech folk songs. From the luscious strings in the opening Adagio movement, the gentle lyricism of the Largo, the vivacious dance-like rhythms of the Scherzo, and the drama of the final Allegro, the Symphony offers the perfect opportunity to show the excellence both of individual musicians (particularly Drake Gritton on the Cor Anglais) and the orchestra playing as an ensemble. The standard set by this initial offering is very high indeed.

The programme will be repeated on Sunday 21^st September at 2pm.

Domingo Hindoyan – conductor

Pacho Flores – trumpet

Percussionists from Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Company and In Harmony

Reviewer: Johanna Roberts

Reviewed: 18^th September 2025

North West End UK Rating: