Ho-hum (plus a couple good things)
“God it’s just so boring.” That’s the extent of my listening notes for this new album from John Wilson and company. So do I even need to go on? (I suppose I could elaborate a bit. […]
reviews
Creative Minds in Song: Twelve Years of Listening
Creative Minds in Song (2023) In this guest posting pianist Gavin Roberts, artistic director of Song in the City, introduces Creative Minds in Song. On Friday 5 June, audiences at St Giles Cripplegate will hear the […]
A remarkable combination of headlong energy with care & attention: Igor Levit & Leonkoro Quartet in Schumann’s Piano Quintet at Wigmore Hall’s 125 Anniversary Festival
Igor Levit & the Leonkoro Quartet in Heidelberg in 2024 (Photo: Studio Visuell) Henriëtte Bosmans: String Quartet, Robert Schumann: Piano Quintet; Igor Levit, Leonkoro Quartet; Wigmore HallReviewed 31 May 2026 A completely absorbing performance of the Schumann […]
What fun, what larks: musical quality & deft comic action in Opera Holland Park’s 1960s package deal holiday Cosi fan tutte
Mozart: Cosi fan tutte – Osian Wyn Bowen, Madeline Boreham, Paul Grant – Opera Holland Park (Photo: Craig Fuller) Mozart: Cosi fan tutte: Madeline Boreham, Shakira Tsindos, Osian Wyn Bowen, Paul Grant, Elizabeth Karani, Paul Carey […]
The Tears and Fire of the Muses: Jordi Savall at Wigmore Hall
The Tears and Fire of the Muses, Claudio Monteverdi Revolution Hespèrion XXI; Soloists of La Capella Reial de Catalunya. Wigore Hall, 1pm, 26.05.2026 Samuel Scheidt Pavan dolorosa, SSWV 41; Courant dolorosa, SSWV 47. Monteverdi Lamento […]
Asmik Grigorian at Wigmore Hall
Asmik Grigorian and Lukas Geniušas at Wigmore Hall The Wigmore Hall’s 125th Anniversary Festival is shaping up well: in one day, the venue offered Jordi Savall at lunchtime and Asmik Grigorian in the evening, both […]
Fantasy & Fairytales, a return of the Opera Festival & The Rain Show: a busy year for Tête à Tête
Launched in 2007, Tête à Tête will be 30 next year! But this year the company shows no sign of slacking. From 3 to 6 July the latest chapter in their longstanding partnership with the […]
%20with%20a%20young%20performer%20from%20StAMP%20(Photo%20Neil%20Hanna)%202.jpg?w=510&resize=510,510&ssl=1 "Donnerstags-Abschied: 2026 East Neuk Festival plans tribute to the late John Wallace with a work he wanted to bring to the festival but never achieved")
Donnerstags-Abschied: 2026 East Neuk Festival plans tribute to the late John Wallace with a work he wanted to bring to the festival but never achieved
John Wallace in rehearsals for ThunderPlump (East Neuk Festival Big Project 2022) with a young performer from StAMP (Photo: Neil Hanna) The trumpeter John Wallace, who died in January this year, was born in Fife […]
Sonate a quattro: Ensemble Diderot
When is a sonata for four not a sonata for four? in the Baroque, of course, where Trio Sonatas are similarly à 4 (cos continuo). Here is a sequence of Sonate a quattro, brilliantly performed […]
Thomas Adès as Principal Guest Conductor, Sir James MacMillan as Featured Composer: The Hallé Orchestra & Kahchun Wong’s 2026/27 season
The Hallé Orchestra’s 2026/27 season has a striking focus on contemporary music as well as celebrating both Kahchun Wong’s third season as Principal Conductor & Artistic Advisor and Conductor Emeritus Sir Mark Elder’s 80th birthday. […]
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.JPG?w=160&resize=160,160&ssl=1 "Thrilling moments, terrific theatre, intimacy & transcendence: Sir Antonio Pappano conducts Berlioz's Requiem at BBC Proms with London Symphony Orchestra")
