In an age and culture that pondered the deeper meaning of life as a matter of course, Richard Strauss's Symphonia Domestica appeared defiantly prosaic. On the other hand, what could be more romantic than this magnificent celebration of domestic bliss, commemorating for all time a day in the life of Papa, Mama and Baby Strauss? Though many have found its programmaticism vulgar (who but Strauss could depict bathing, sleeping, thinking and arguing in a symphony?), it has moments of touching beauty. In the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic's performance, the second movement's depiction of tender parental love and the serene delicacy of their reconciliation music were especially lovely. The most difficult passage to bring off is the conclusion, in which Strauss proudly demonstrates his ability to sustain a climax. It didn't quite work this time - there was too much too soon and momentum was lost - but this was the only flaw in an otherwise vibrant performance.
The idea that big, romantic concertos should visibly tax the soloist has become an integral part of how we expect them to be played. It can be disappointing, therefore, when they clearly don't. Peter Donohoe knows Rachmaninov's Third Piano Concerto so well that he has complete and effortless mastery of every bar, and he doesn't try to hide the fact. Added to that, his characteristic avoidance of wallowing in its extravagant idiom can feel rather unrelenting: Donohoe clearly relishes its sweep and energy but is less inclined to linger over its poetic moments. If the concerto was on the strident side though, his encore - Rachmaninov's Op 23 G flat major Prelude - was more thoughtful, gently shaped and balanced.
There is no clear reason Rachmaninov's Three Russian Songs should not be better known, but they are a rarity in British orchestral schedules. With their roots in Russian folksong, they should be a pleasure to sing, but the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir sounded unaccountably thin, frequently overwhelmed by the orchestra, and badly in need of some good strong Russian consonants.
