4 + 4 = ∞ : Laws of Solitude
This is a fascinating idea: the same piece, twice, once with piano and once with orchestra. Surely Richard Strauss’ famous orchestrational ability is what makes this piece so special? Those autumn hues as he prepares […]
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Putting choral music at the centre of contemporary culture: conductor George Parris on the Carice Singers’ An Ode to Our Planet collaborating with cellist Nicolas Altstaedt, celebrating Arvo Pärt & their debut at hcmf
George Parris & the Carice Singers (Photo: Lidia Crisafulli) Conductor George Parris and the Carice Singers have been exploring Arvo Pärt‘s music alongside that of other Estonian composers, most recently (13 November) at St Giles […]
Brilliant Berlioz from Rafael Payare and the Philharmonia
Berlioz, Ortiz Pacho Florez (trumpets); Philharmonia Orchestra / Rafael Payare. Royal Festival Hall, London, 27.11.2025 Berlioz Le carnaval romain Overture (1843) Ortiz Trumpet Concerto, ‘Altar de Bronce’ (2022), London premiere Berlioz Symphonie fantastique (1830) Rafael Payare is an exciting conductor who […]
Wilson breezes through Walton’s 1st Symphony. (Plus a wonderful Cello Concerto)
If you think you know what Wilson is going to sound like in Walton’s 1st Symphony, you’re probably right. Though I was hoping against hope that he would surprise us and come up with something […]
Style, engagement & joy: Handel’s Partenope returns to ENO with a terrific young cast
Handel: Partenope – English National Opera (Photo: Lloyd Winters) Handel: Partenope; Nardus Williams, Hugh Cutting, Ru Charlesworth, Jake Ingbar, Katie Bray, William Thomas, director: Christopher Alden, conductor: William Cole, English National Opera; London ColiseumReviewed 26 […]
Vilde Frang returns – in Elgar
We have met violinist Vilde Frang on evil occasions, most memorably in her coupling of Beethoven and Stravinsky, in Berg at the Barbican, and in Bartók in Berlin. We have also considered Albert Sammons’ recording […]
The under-appreciated genius of Bruno Maderna
Hearing Boulez’ Rituel: In Memoriam Brumo Maderna the other day as part of LSO Futures; reminded me that Maderna (1920-73) remains an under-appreciated genius. Here’s the promo video for the present disc: The Serenata No. […]
Delizie, contente: The Bellot Ensemble explore love in all its forms in 17th century Italy for Cupid’s Ground Bass on FHR
Cupid’s Ground Bass: Strozzi, uccelini, Farina, Cavalli, Kapsberger, Biber, Monteverdi; Lucine Musaelian, Kieran White, The Bellot Ensemble; FHR RecordsReviewed 26 November 2025 A young ensemble in one of those intelligently put together programmes where the […]
Eleven artists were honoured as this year’s winners of the Aga Khan Music Awards which were held in London for the first time
Qalali Folk Band at Aga Khan Music Awards 2025 (Photo: Joao Peixoto) Eleven artists were honoured at the weekend as this year’s winners of the Aga Khan Music Awards in a ceremony in the Southbank […]
Pitting the cello, as lone climber, against the heavens-touching vastness of mountains, Belfast-based composer Anselm McDonnell’s new cello concerto premieres in Dublin
Anselm McDonnell Belfast-based composer Anselm McDonnell appeared on these pages earlier this year with my review of his third album, Politics of the Imagination, featuring music where political commentary and sheer playfulness combine with a […]
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