classical music reviews, news & interviews
Robert Beale |
The Hallé Orchestra is still in many ways the well honed, burnished instrument created by Sir Mark Elder over his near quarter-century as its music director, and his calm authority over it was apparent in almost every note of this, his second Bridgewater Hall appearance in the present season.
David Nice |
Serendipity smiled on a lunchtime event you'd have been happy to hear any time, anywhere in the world. Edward Gardner's typically engaging short introduction told us that Royal Academy of Music string students were facing exams in a fortnight, so the brief was to find a programme predominantly for wind and brass.
Boyd Tonkin
In the delirious and exhilarating Sephardic dance that finished their concert devoted to the Jewish, Muslim and Christian music of Jerusalem, one of…
Robert Beale
There are few concert experiences as satisfying as hearing cornerstone works of the Romantic repertoire played with energy, commitment and panache,…
Rachel Halliburton
I have to confess, I hadn’t been sure what to expect when I heard about The Art of Fugue staged with acrobats. This latest collaborative experiment…
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Bernard Hughes
Messiaen’s 'Turangalîla' well played, but overwhelmed by a trivialising animation
graham.rickson
A famous conductor celebrated in box form, plus romantic piano music and English song
Robert Beale
A scenic journey through 20th and 21st century landscapes
David Nice
Fiddly but felt, the interpretations of the ICO's Norwegian violinist-director always compel
Boyd Tonkin
Tenderness, and terror, outshine majesty in Elgar's journey of the soul
Benjamin Baker
At the World's Edge festival travels from mountains to metropolis
Rachel Halliburton
This semi-dramatised evening was as illuminating as it was exhilarating
Boyd Tonkin
Secret handshakes between works that weathered trauma
Robert Beale
Orchestral music without a conductor has its own unique frisson
graham.rickson
Three choral blockbusters, plus fiery symphonies and percussive contemporary music
Robert Beale
Eagerness and skill from the musicians of tomorrow
David Nice
Electrifying Britten and Wagner under Joana Mallwitz, plus top chamber music and song
Robert Beale
Different works call for different gifts in skills and sense of musical coherence
David Nice
This year’s chorus of soloists has yet more revelations, but the overall vision’s the thing
graham.rickson
Norwegian piano miniatures, a capella choral music and an iconic wartime chamber work
David Nice
Perfectly proportioned 'Eroica' sets the seal of distinction on these visitors' tour
Robert Beale
Outrage and fun from women composers make their impact
Robert Beale
Beethoven dominates a symbolic musical link
Simon Thompson
Star power sells a concert of recently written music
Boyd Tonkin
A lavish double serving of full-flavoured masterworks
Robert Beale
Hidden gems by 20th century composers revealed
Bernard Hughes
Enticing programme is given a suitably colourful performance
graham.rickson
A great soprano live in concert, new sounds from Iceland and chamber music for strings
David Nice
The great pianist takes us on a Shakespearean journey, from Ariel and Prospero to Lear
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