Robert Beattie in conversation with pianist Sandro Russo

Italian pianist Sandro Russo talks to Robert Beattie

Sandro Russo © Jiyang Chen

Chetham’s Music School in central Manchester run an International Piano Summer School every year for pianists of varying levels of ability including talented students, teachers and adult amateur pianists. As an enthusiastic amateur pianist, I decided to enrol on the course myself earlier this year. There were many distinguished professional pianists on the course teaching students and giving masterclasses. In the evening a number of the teachers gave concerts in Chetham’s Stoller Hall. It was amazing to hear such a wide and varied range of demanding repertoire being performed to such a high level.

I was struck by one concert, in particular, by the Italian pianist, Sandro Russo. Sandro performed all twelve of Liszt’s Transcendental Études and his performance was deservedly greeted with a standing ovation.

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Handel’s Clori, Tirsi e Fileno: magnificent singing and a welcome message of love and hope

United KingdomUnited Kingdom Handel, Clori, Tirsi e Fileno, HWV96: Soloists, The English Concert / Harry Bicket (director / harpsichord). Wigmore Hall, London, 18.10.2023. (CSa)

Handel’s Clori, Tirsi e Fileno:  The English Concert conducted by Harry Bicket (harpsichord) with (l-r) Joélle Harvey (Tirsi) and Ailish Tynan (Corsi) and Iestyn Davies (Fileno). © The Wigmore Hall Trust

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Combining Schubert, Vaughan Williams and Blake in Oxford was intriguing rather than enriching

United KingdomUnited Kingdom Oxford International Song Festival 2023 [3] – Schubert, Vaughan Williams: Anna Cavaliero (soprano), Robin Tritschler (tenor), James Turnbull (oboe), Dame Janet Suzman (reader), Graham Johnson (piano). Holywell Music Room, Oxford, 22.10.2023. (CR)

Anna Cavaliero (soprano) 

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A marvelous barber, attractive lovers and merry pranks mark LA Opera’s The Barber of Seville

United StatesUnited States Rossini, The Barber of Seville: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of LA Opera / Louis Lohraseb (conductor). Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles, 21.10.2023. (JRo)

Joshua Hopkins (Figaro), Isabel Leonard (Rosina) and Edgardo Rocha (Almaviva) © Cory Weaver

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Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony bring Beethoven’s Ninth to a glorious climax

United StatesUnited States Beethoven, Symphony No.9 in D minor: Angel Blue (soprano), Tamara Mumford (mezzo-soprano), Ben Bliss (tenor), Dashon Burton (bass-baritone), San Francisco Symphony / Michael Tilson Thomas (conductor), San Francisco Symphony Chorus / Jenny Wong (director). Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, 19.10.2023. (HS)

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