Posts

Image

CONCERT REVIEW | Schumann | London Symphony Orchestra/Faust & Gardiner | Barbican, London | "The woodwinds gliding through the lean, lyrical strings were special, yet the highlights were in the clarity of the contrapuntal and chorale-like sections of the Finale, where Gardiner rose to his credential as early music specialist"

Image

CONCERT REVIEW | Schumann & Berlioz | London Symphony Orchestra/Hallenberg & Gardiner | Barbican, London | "Under Gardiner’s leadership, the LSO have rediscovered a compelling language"

Image

RECORDING REVIEW | Brahms, Berg, Dvorak, & Sibelius | Iceland Symphony Orchestra/Eðvaldsdóttir, Sakari, etc. | "There is little doubt regarding the unsung artistry of Eðvaldsdóttir and the ISO. The approach shines a Nordic light of austere clarity onto a familiar repertoire"

Image

RECORDING REVIEW | Brahms | Kirschnereit, Neudauer, & Amaryllis Quartet | "Kirschnereit and the Amaryllis Quartett are lucid in the Op. 34 piano quintet...present a heart-warmingly memorable alternative sensibility."

Image

RECORDING REVIEW | Bruckner | Südwestrundfunkorchester Baden-Baden/Rosbaud | "Rosbaud’s interpretations rarely fail to be intriguing...the works that stand out in this set – the Fifth, Sixth and Seventh symphonies – eclipse many of the recordings that exist in the market"

Image

CONCERT REVIEW | Dvorak | Philharmonia Orchestra/Capucon & Jarvi | RFH, London | "...the aesthetics of Järvi assured that nothing was zealously overcooked, whilst the large picture was respected with a seriousness of intent"

Image

CONCERT REVIEW | Schubert, Mahler, etc. | London Symphony Orchestra/Kožená & Rattle | Barbican, London | "Rattle’s sensitivity proved to be a judicious outcome given the inward nature of these works"

Image

CONCERT REVIEW | Mozart & Tchaikovsky | London Symphony Orchestra/Znaider | Barbican, London | "The mellifluous warmth evoked was as poignant as it was beautiful"

Image

CONCERT REVIEW | Sibelius & Hillborg | BBC Symphony Orchestra/Batiashvili & Oramo | Barbican, London | "By means of sheer alertness of playing and orchestral balance, the scintillating pulse underlying the outward chaste was outlined"

Image

CONCERT REVIEW | Ruders, Shostakovich, & R. Strauss | BBC Symphony Orchestra/Abduraimov, Thomas, & Søndergård | Barbican, London | "...things were eventually held together under the wise baton of Søndergård"