Handel’s last oratorio presents, amongst the composer’s catalogue of undeniable masterpieces, a masterwork of stunning stature. Not a note is misplaced in Jephtha: long though it is (more of that later), everything is perfectly […]
Christophe Rousset’s performance of Bach’s Osterortorium, BWV 249, in Aix en Provence recently led me to his disc from 2011: Frans Brüggen’s Amsterdam account with the Orchestra of the 18th Century and Cappella Amsterdam with […]
Two recent releases have me losing some respect for 2 esteemed Classical music labels – one for taking advantage of the consumer by offering a full price CD with a ridiculously short playing time; the […]
Weinberg, Shostakovich Quatuor Danel Wigmore Hall, 6.5.2025 Weinberg String Quartets: No. 14, Op. 122 (1978); No. 15, Op. 124 (1980) Shostakovich String Quartet No. 14 in F sharp, op. 142 (1973) This was a […]
Janáček The Excursions of Mr Brouček (‘Výlety páně Broučkovy’; concert performance). Cast; Tenebrae; London Symphony Orchestra / Sir Simon Rattle (conductor). Barbican Hall, 04.05.2025 Cast: Broućek – Peter Hoare Mazal/Blankytný/Petřík – Aleš Briscein Malinka/Etherea/Kunka – Lucy […]
Israeli pianist Alon Kariv will play Chopin’s First Piano Concetto on Sunday, May 11 at London’s Cadogan Hall with the English Chamber Orchestra. Ahead of that performance, I met Alon to discuss all things piano, […]
Premiere of Sven Helbig’s Requiem A at the Dresdner Kreuzkirche (Photo: Oliver Killig) The composer Sven Helbig has been on my radar since at least 2013 when his disc Pocket Symphonies came out [see my review] […]
Messiaen: Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum – Britten Sinfonia, Sinfonia Smith Square, Nicholas Daniel – St George’s Cathedral, Southwark (Photo: Britten Sinfonia) Stravinsky: Symphonies of wind instruments; Poulenc: Timor et tremor, Vinea mea electa, Tristis est […]
Julia Wolfe appointed the Orchestra’s first Composer in Residence, with four works featured in the season, including a newly commissioned symphonic arrangement of her Pulitzer-winning Anthracite Fields Focus on opera, with Principal Guest Conductor Anja Bihlmaier […]
Jonathan Sells (Photo: Paul Marc Mitchell) In April, the Monteverdi Choir released a disc of motets by Bruckner and Gesualdo conducted by Jonathan Sells on the Soli Deo Gloria label. Recorded live in concert in […]
