Page 287 - Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Coverage Book 2023-24

The opening was almost (but not quite) understated, Izik-Dzurko's measured responses to
the opening horn call warm, gentle but also full of promise, an anticipatory excitement latent
under the smooth upward chord progressions. This long and complex movement unfolded
in such a way, pianist and conductor Domingo Hindoyan working together as an indivisible
unit as they did throughout, that the structure became evident, not intrusively but as in the
design of a great building, as satisfying as it was beautiful. Time seemed stretched almost
to breaking point. The Allegro appassionato was visceral, power allied to sensitivity – and
always a sense of sure control. There were moments of fire and moments of delicacy,
particularly in the Trio. In the Andante it seemed as if he was holding something ineffably
precious in his hands before, in the perfectly judged final chord, placing it carefully down.
The last movement danced with an almost tangible lightness of foot, Brahms’ forceful,
glaring tritones adding contrast in the interstices. Hindoyan and the RLPO were superb
partners, balanced, nuanced and sensitive and there was an abundance of fine playing, in
particular from horns and cellos.

Jaeden Izik-Dzurko, Domingo Hindoyan and the RLPO at the Leeds International Piano Competition final
© Frances Marshall

This was a fine performance of a great work. Brahms was above all a serious composer
and this was serious playing. In a world of competition, hype and promotion, Jaeden Izik-
Dzurko stands apart. He is a sincere artist and deserves our attention.

After the interval, the magisterial Symphony no. 5 in E minor by Tchaikovsky suffered in
comparison – not because of the performance, which was all one has come to expect from
this orchestra under this conductor, silky-smooth strings, clarity and precision and over all a
sense of the awareness of time and structure – but purely by being placed where it was
after so many riches in the first half. Hindoyan and the RLPO gave it everything and there