Classical Reviews

Prom 7: BBCSO, Bělohlávek/Prom 8: Pet Shop Boys

Matthew Wright Thursday, 24 July 2014

The Forties and Fifties, seen through the eyes of Shostakovich and the Pet Shop Boys, were the historical centre of gravity for last night’s courageously broad Proms programme. Bartók’s Violin Concerto No.

Man Overboard, Aurora Orchestra, Collon, LSO St Luke's

Heidi Goldsmith Tuesday, 22 July 2014

If the 15-word limit of a succinct listings blurb ever taught you a lesson let it be immediate suspicion of any performer or musician termed "jazzy". This wariness could extend to anything generically suffixed by "y" or "ish", simply because it suggests either pretence or a lack of original or strong identity.

Comment

Prom 4: World Orchestra for Peace, Gergiev

Sebastian Scotney Monday, 21 July 2014

This was a rare outing by the World Orchestra for Peace, which has performed fewer than 20 concerts since the death of its founder Sir Georg Solti in 1997. UNESCO had designated this BBC Prom as "The 2014 Concert for Peace", the definite article implying a uniqueness which - according to rumour - is because concerts planned for Munich and Aix failed to get beyond the planning stage. It drew a respectable house to the Royal Albert Hall, which looked about three-quarters full.

Comment

Simon Trpčeski, Wigmore Hall

Jessica Duchen Sunday, 20 July 2014

No man is a prophet in his own land – except possibly the Macedonian pianist Simon Trpčeski. In the UK he shot to fame upon winning the London International Piano Competition in 2001 and at home he has become a national hero, his efforts rebooting the country’s classical music scene and inspiring the building of a new full-scale concert hall in Skopje – even though he is still a mere 35. He is also celebrated there as a popular songwriter.

Comment

First Night of the Proms, BBCSO, Davis, Royal Albert Hall

David Nice Saturday, 19 July 2014

“And suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.” To fill the Albert Hall – where a sizeable number of participants are standing, of course, in the best place – as handsomely as this, and as clearly, takes some work.

Comment

Classical CDs Weekly: Hartmann, Mahler, Vaughan Williams

graham Rickson Friday, 18 July 2014

Classical CDs Weekly: Per Nørgård, Stephen Hough, The Society of Strange and Ancient Instruments

graham Rickson Friday, 11 July 2014

Daneman, Bostridge, Drake, Middle Temple Hall

Sebastian Scotney Thursday, 10 July 2014

Temple Music's enterprising song series, directed by pianist Julius Drake, brought a welcome rarity to Middle Temple Hall last night. Schumann's Myrthen, the garland of twenty-six songs dedicated to his intended bride Clara Wieck, are seldom heard in a complete performance. Even with an interval in the middle, they serve as a reminder of the power and sheer emotional range of Schumann's music.

Comment

Pinnock's Passions, Handel's Garden, Sam Wanamaker Playhouse

Kimon Daltas Tuesday, 08 July 2014

The latest in a series of "Pinnock’s Passions" concerts at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse saw the doyen of period instrument performance lead a delightful exploration of Handel the musical borrower, entitled "Handel’s Garden". As Trevor Pinnock writes in the programme notes, "throughout his life as a composer he had the habit of taking cuttings, transplanting and grafting from works old and new".