“Under Bringuier, the OPRL offered a light-hearted transparency: the woodwinds exuded spaciousness, while the strings remained supple and rounded in tone. The dialogue betweensoloist and orchestra was exemplary – chamber music in sensitivity, symphonic in sonority.”

“Under the precise and passionate baton of Lionel Bringuier, the orchestra displayed an extraordinary sonic palette.”

“The third movement began almost like a bombast of a Star Wars score and Bringuier’s gestures and precise cues underscored a soundscape of an almost galactic dimension.”

“The Tchaikovsky was balanced at the other end of the program by Rachmaninov’s Symphony No 2, in an expansive reading by Bringuier. The conductor unspooled Rachmaninov’s long-breathed melodies with an eye for the big picture, carefully building the first movement to the storm of swirling strings and thundering brass and percussion at its climax. The Scherzo, infused with the darkness of the Dies irae chant, sparkled with horns and racing strings, while the slow movement was achingly romantic, Bringuier once again deftly pacing the climaxes, before dispatching a celebratory finale.”

“With Ravel’s ​“Valses Nobles et Sentimentales,” Bringuier further flashed his Ravel credentials. The conductor took some of the waltzes at daringly slow tempos that dripped with sensuality while exulting in the swaying swing of the opening waltz. Bringuier had the help of the L.A. Phil’s jazz-minded soloists pouring on the bluesy slurring in Gershwin’s ​“An American in Paris.” Three saxophonists were forwardly balanced in the central homesick blues section that gave it a Paul Whiteman-like period sound. Elsewhere, Bringuier made infectiously jaunty work of Gershwin’s fast walks through the French capital.”

“Bringuier, who as a Ravel specialist has repeatedly demonstrated a special flair for shaping tonal color, also knows how to conjure up with Rimsky-Korsakov all the richness of sonority from the dazzling score.”

“If there was a link between the concerto, Dutilleux’s Métaboles and Ravel’s Daphnis and Chloé Suite No 2, it was in the transparency of the sound achieved under Bringuier, whose debut this was with the LSO. The ecstasies described by Brahms, Dutilleux and Ravel are distinct, and were beautifully individuated by the French conductor.”