The hall was packed to the gunwales not only out of curiosity to see and hear Bringuier, but also for Hélène Grimaud. The Ravel piano concerto (this was the one for two hands) is audibly inspired by Ravel’s having met Gershwin and the work’s syncopated rhythms and jazzy outbursts were enjoyed by all. There was an evident rapport between pianist and the conductor and balance was perfect throughout. Grimaud jumped around the keyboard with abandon and as an encore played the final pages of the final helter-skelter Presto. Smiles all round.
