Bachtrack.com: Popelka leads a fiery finish for Dvořák's Prague

The evening got off to a less promising start with Paul Lewis joining the orchestra for Brahms’ monumental Piano Concerto no. 1 in D minor. Popelka struck a bold, overheated approach from the opening bars, offering pounding backing for a tepid start by Lewis. The pianist’s playing was uncharacteristically dry and the orchestra bordered on cataclysmic, making for a ragged first movement. More moderate tones in the second put the players in synch for an energetic finale, with Lewis matching the orchestra in intensity and volume in some flashy runs. This was Brahms with a bite, fierce, choppy, more frantic than dramatic.

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