Southbank Centre
The Yeomen of the Guard, Philharmonia Orchestra, Wilson, Royal Festival HallMonday, 16 April 2012
Looking at John Wilson conduct, it’s possible to think that you’re watching an incarnation of that Proms favourite of decades past, Sir Malcolm Sargent. The immaculate tailcoat, shining white cuffs, the florid gestures with a baton as long as a... Read more... |
Jessye Norman to sing at SouthbankTuesday, 03 April 2012The legendary American soprano Jessye Norman returns to the Royal Festival Hall on 21 May for her first London public performance for nearly a decade. Accompanied by pianist Mark Markham, she will sing repertoire from the American musical... Read more... |
Five new Rambert choreographersTuesday, 03 April 2012Rambert's fine dancers turn choreographer in a new season of four creations to be shown at the Southbank Centre on 31 May. In keeping with the high-quality ethos of the company, each has a new music commission with it, played live by members of the... Read more... |
Fischer, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Dutoit, Royal Festival HallSaturday, 31 March 2012
If Dr Frankenstein wanted to manufacture the perfect violinist, he’d require a long list of ingredients. Perfect, unfussy technique, of course; but also seriousness of purpose, a sense of humour, a clear head, a passionate heart, a generous tone,... Read more... |
War Requiem, Philharmonia Orchestra, Maazel, Royal Festival HallMonday, 26 March 2012
In this, the work’s 50th anniversary year, there will be a lot of War Requiems. Benjamin Britten’s howl of Pacifist conviction has lost little of its poignancy since its composition – a period marked by the almost continuous military presence of... Read more... |
David Byrne, Laurie Anderson, Imogen Heap Gigs Streamed OnlineWednesday, 21 March 2012As part of Artangel’s year long programme of writers and musicians creating work in A Room for London, a one-bedroom installation above the Thames, David Byrne has produced a new soundwork inspired by the city and particularly the sights... Read more... |
Antony to curate the 2012 Meltdown FestivalThursday, 15 March 2012
The Southbank Centre has announced that musician/visual artist Antony will be curating the 19th Meltdown Festival this August. The avant-garde performer and lead singer with Mercury Award-winning Antony and the Johnsons follows in the... Read more... |
Sing Inspiration! Festival, Royal Festival HallThursday, 15 March 2012
Bringing together the most talented choirs, vocalists and musicians from across London and the UK, iGospel's two-day Sing Inspiration! Festival came to a close in spectacular fashion. Lurine Cato opened the concluding "Gospel & Soul" concert,... Read more... |
theASHtray: Blood Car, organ donation, and the pop song carbon footprintSaturday, 10 March 2012
Put your hand up, please, if you’ve seen the multi-award-winning movie Blood Car. No? Fair enough. It was ostensibly released about two weeks ago – “in selected cinemas” – but you can be forgiven for not having tripped over any posters.Blood Car is... Read more... |
AV Festival, Newcastle/ Heiner Goebbels's Surrogate Cities, RFH/ London Contemporary Orchestra, Brunt, The RoundhouseMonday, 05 March 2012
It's often more fun on the margins. The pickings are richer. The view is clearer. You can take aim easier. The AV Festival has spent more than eight years here, on the counter-cultural edges, delving into the divisional cracks between art, music and... Read more... |
The Speech Project, Purcell RoomFriday, 02 March 2012
Released last month on One Fine Day Records to excellent reviews, last night saw the first of an 11-date UK tour for Gerry Diver's remarkable multimedia work, The Speech Project. Conceived over the past four years by musician, composer and producer... Read more... |
Bell, LPO, Jurowski, Royal Festival HallThursday, 23 February 2012
Despite the best attempts of Stephen Johnson’s programme notes to create synthesis from last night’s London Philharmonic Orchestra concert, there was something rather smash and grab about the programming. It was as though Jurowski, suddenly inspired... Read more... |
