Shaham, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Robertson, Royal Albert Hall | reviews, news & interviews
Shaham, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Robertson, Royal Albert Hall
Shaham, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Robertson, Royal Albert Hall
Turnage turns 50 while Shaham wows us with Barber
Friday, 27 August 2010
Gil Shaham: Big-hearted and inquisitive playing
When Mark-Anthony Turnage presents a piece called Hammered Out, that’s pretty much what you expect to hear. Prior to starting work on this co-commission between BBC Radio 3 and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Turnage was quoted as saying, “I don’t want to write an old man’s piece.” The trouble is that this 15-minute juggernaut for large orchestra sounds like an elder statesman – ie the symphony orchestra – masquerading as a mover and shaker: or to be brutally frank, an old swinger in urgent need of a hip replacement. As a seasoned Turnage fan, I hesitate to say that there’s more than a hint of clapped-out about Hammered Out.
When Mark-Anthony Turnage presents a piece called Hammered Out, that’s pretty much what you expect to hear. Prior to starting work on this co-commission between BBC Radio 3 and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Turnage was quoted as saying, “I don’t want to write an old man’s piece.” The trouble is that this 15-minute juggernaut for large orchestra sounds like an elder statesman – ie the symphony orchestra – masquerading as a mover and shaker: or to be brutally frank, an old swinger in urgent need of a hip replacement. As a seasoned Turnage fan, I hesitate to say that there’s more than a hint of clapped-out about Hammered Out.
more Classical music
Apartment House, Wigmore Hall online review - introspective music for isolated times
Serene lockdown listening in three concerts dedicated to Morton Feldman
Classical CDs: Janáček, Myaskovsky, Prokofiev, John Wilson
An arboreal opera, two Soviet symphonies and some rarely heard English string music
Gillam, Hallé, Bloxham, Hallé online review - music of poetry
Turbulence, calm, and long, slow melodies in a concert commemorating 2020
The Soldier's Tale, Scottish Chamber Orchestra online review - top performers master a baggy mini-monster
Actor and violinist excel in this Stravinsky-Ramuz confection
András Schiff, Wigmore Hall review - Bach in isolation
Total focus on one composer brings balm for the spirit
Gabrieli Consort, McCreesh online review - joyous Bach Christmas Oratorio
Pared-down reading makes for an immersive experience
Vienna New Year’s Day Concert, BBC Two/Radio 3 review - noble integrity and missionary zeal
Riccardo Muti brings aristocratic melancholy to a surprisingly moving, audienceless ritual
Classical CDs Weekly: Sibelius, Roger Désormière, George Szell
Three life-enhancing box sets
Bevan, LPO, Jurowski, RFH online review – never-ending stories
A year of disruption ends in gusto – and doubt
'Having to establish a real conversation with the audience is a good challenge': Raffaello Morales on a possible musical future
Pioneer of a rare 2020 success story, the Fidelio Orchestra Cafe, on adapting to change
Best of 2020: Classical music concerts
Heroic smaller enterprises have kept music live under unpromising circumstances
Voces8 LIVE from London online review part 2 – an assortment box of Christmas choral treats
The second half of this ambitious festival provides further multifarious pleasures
Add comment