classical music reviews, news & interviews
Robert Beale |
The Northern Chamber Orchestra is unusual in that it plays almost always without a conductor. It’s been doing that for nearly 60 years, and there’s a unique frisson to be had from experiencing orchestral music-making done almost entirely through eye contact, careful listening and telepathy, as real chamber music always is.
graham.rickson |
JS Bach: St John Passion Pygmalion/Raphaël Pichon (Harmonia Mundi)
Handel: Messiah Irish Baroque Orchestra/Peter Whelan (Linn)
Robert Beale
A concert by the National Youth Orchestra is like no other. For one thing, there are 160 of them – you simply don’t get the kind of power and…
David Nice
Good Friday and the days before it are times to contemplate Bach's great passions - the St Matthew was performed at the Baden-Baden Easter Festival…
Robert Beale
I’ve always liked to think that, when it comes to artistic performance, comparisons are odious (or oderous, as Dogberry had it). There is one glory…
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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
Boyd Tonkin
The great Gospel tragedy rendered bright, swift and fierce
Rachel Halliburton
Irish fiddler sets ego aside and completely surrenders to the music
Simon Thompson
Glitzy Rachmaninov and a glittering Zemlinsky ‘Mermaid’
Simon Thompson
A great conductor returns in triumph to crown an orchestra’s anniversary celebrations
Boyd Tonkin
A master pianist dives deep into the farewell moods of Brahms and Beethoven
stephen.walsh
Big sounds needing more space but no better playing
graham.rickson
Neglected 20th century symphonies, a rediscovered violin concerto and colourful contemporary music
Rachel Halliburton
Style, sophistication and philosophical elegance
Boyd Tonkin
Styles harmonise in music of memory and mourning
Robert Beale
A haunting encounter with Cassandra Miller’s Viola Concerto
Bernard Hughes
Long-time collaborators offer great singing but some wobbly playing
Boyd Tonkin
Handel's Biblical tragedy strikes hard without stage trickery
stephen.walsh
Moving tribute to a great centenarian
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