classical music reviews, news & interviews
Robert Beale |
You have to admire Samantha Fernando’s concept of the “To Do” list. Hers has one item: “Do Less”.
Clare Stevens |
Since 1981 Ryedale Festival has presented a mouthwatering array of concerts in picturesque churches and glorious stately homes in North East Yorkshire, characterised by interval drinks and picnics in lovely gardens or sunny terraces on long summer evenings.
David Nice
Even top conductors can have difficulty with Elgar’s late romantic suppleness. Vasily Petrenko of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Santtu-Mattias…
David Nice
Bah-humbuggers like me are happy to pass over seasonal fare, maybe excepting a Messiah or Christmas Oratorio, and look ahead to the birds that sing…
graham.rickson
Image
American Dream: music by Amy Beach, Dana Suesse and Victor Babin Ludmila Berlinskaya…
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Boyd Tonkin
Drama and drive in Mozart's great unfinished mass
Bernard Hughes
Music by Evelin Seppar highlights interesting intersection with Arvo Pärt’s holy minimalism
David Nice
Superbly sequenced memorials balancing anger and reflection
Robert Beale
A look back to the Covid experience in Dani Howard’s approachable and attractive Trombone Concerto
Robert Beale
A trusted guide and an imaginative soloist charm the crowd
Robert Beale
From 1980 to 2025 with the West Coast’s pied piper and his eager following
David Nice
Perfect ensemble runs the gamut of a supreme masterpiece
Bernard Hughes
A robust and assertive Beethoven concerto suggests a player to follow
Bernard Hughes
Broad and idiosyncratic survey of classical music is insightful but slightly indigestible
graham.rickson
British ballet scores, 19th century cello works and contemporary piano etudes
David Nice
Specialists in French romantic music unveil a treasure trove both live and on disc
Simon Thompson
A pity the SCO didn't pick a better showcase for a shining guest artist
David Nice
British masterpieces for strings plus other-worldly tenor and horn - and a muscular rarity
Rachel Halliburton
From quasi-Mozartian elegance to the gritty humour of a kitchen inspection
Bernard Hughes
Adès’s passion makes persuasive case for the music he loves, both new and old
Sebastian Scotney
The Austrian mezzo shines - at the age of 22
Oliver Pashley
Compositions by members of this unusual quartet feature for the first time
Rachel Halliburton
At times it was like watching an anarchic religious procession
graham.rickson
An influential American composer's 90th birthday box, plus British piano concertos and a father-and-son duo
Robert Beale
Two UK premieres added to three miniatures from a seminal event of January 1914
Robert Beale
Bouncing Czechs enjoy their Gershwin and Brubeck alongside Janáček and Dvořák
David Nice
Even a top soprano and mezzo can’t make this Handel paean wholly convincing
David Nice
London Piano Festival curators and illustrious friends entertain and enlighten
Bernard Hughes
Beautiful singing at the heart of an imaginative and stylistically varied concert
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