The heart of the show, though, was another big world premiere, this time from Dutch composer Louis Andriessen. Entitled The Hague Hacking, this single movement double piano concerto performed by Katia and Marielle Labèque, is cut from the same exuberant percussive clear-minded cloth as Andriessen’s most recent works such as La Commedia, which bring to mind Messiaen without the avian overtones. In fact, the work, which is based on a theme from a Tom and Jerry cartoon ('The Cat Concerto') and a popular “sing-along song” about The Hague, is uniquely Andriessen’s. Despite it’s more conventional sources, The Hague Hacking so alters them in form that these melodies disappear at times amongst the volleys between the Labèque sisters. Initially the melodies are expanded as notes are given much slower values than the original, but then later quicken only to be deconstructed within the orchestra. Meanwhile, the Labèques attacked the score with a pixie-like ferocity that seemed both whimsical and deadly serious at the same time. At around 20 minutes it was too short by half and another feather in the the Philharmonic's cap.

Brian