classical music reviews, news & interviews
David Nice |
Vivacious Carolin Widmann clearly adores her fellow players in the Irish Chamber Orchestra, where her brother Jörg served as Principal Guest Conductor and Artistic Partner until 2021.
Robert Beale |
The Philharmonic’s chief conductor John Storgårds was enjoying the taste of his pure, northern native air in Saturday’s concert: Sibelius at the heart of it, with the Violin Concerto played by a brilliant fellow-Finn, plus Rautavaara and Nielsen.
Bernard Hughes
The last time I heard the excellent Carice Singers was last year as they marked the 90th birthday of Arvo Pärt. But Pärt’s meditative and inward…
stephen.walsh
With Cardiff’s St David’s Hall continuing under wraps while it gets a new roof, the BBC NOW is still having to be tyre-levered into the much smaller…
Claire Booth
The relationship between words and music is a long one — but not an exclusive one. Indeed, the idea of a chamber music festival with words and…
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Simon Thompson
Principal cellist plays two concertante works, the orchestra glittering alongside him
graham.rickson
French baroque music, British orchestral fireworks and an award-winning Dutch pianist
Robert Beale
A Russian programme with intriguing and exciting pathways included
David Nice
Two world-class soloists in perfect teamwork with fellow musicians and a top conductor
Boyd Tonkin
Uplifting celebrations of musical kinship across cultures
Robert Beale
Romantic cornerstones shine alongside Julia Wolfe’s document of trauma
Rachel Halliburton
Circa's acrobatics bracingly express a philosophical idea of the body
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
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