John Rhodes

Much to admire (despite acoustic challenges) in The Bach Choir’s War Requiem

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Britten’s War Requiem: Elizabeth Watts (soprano), Andrew Staples (tenor), Mark Stone (baritone), London Youth Choir – Junior Boys & Cambiata Boys, The Bach Choir, Philharmonia Orchestra / David Hill (conductor). Westminster Cathedral, London, 30.10.2024. (JR)

David Hill conducts Britten’s War Requiem at Westminster Cathedral © Andy Paradise

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Michael Tilson Thomas returns in very good form for Mahler’s Second Symphony with the LSO

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Mahler: Siobhan Stagg (soprano), Alice Coote (mezzo-soprano), London Symphony Chorus (Chorus Director Emeritus: Simon Halsey), London Symphony Orchestra / Michael Tilson Thomas (conductor). Barbican Hall, London, 20.10.2024. (JR)

Michael Tilson Thomas conducts the London Symphony Orchestra © Mark Allan

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Two contrasting Rachmaninoff works from the LPO under Edward Gardner at the Royal Festival Hall

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Rachmaninoff: Leif Ove Andsnes (piano), Kristina Mkhitaryan (soprano), Dmytro Popov (tenor), Kostas Smoriginas (bass-baritone), London Philharmonic Choir (artistic director: Neville Creed), London Philharmonic Orchestra / Edward Gardner (conductor). Royal Festival Hall, London, 28.9.2024. (JR)

The London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Edward Gardner © Mark Allan

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RPS Gold Medal for Thomas Adès and a stirring Bruckner 4 from Simon Rattle and his Bavarian orchestra

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom PROM 61 – Adès, Bruckner: Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra / Sir Simon Rattle (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London, 5.9.2024. (JR)

Sir Simon Rattle conducts the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra © BBC/Chris Christodoulou

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Distinguished rather than gripping St John Passion from Bach Collegium Japan and Masaaki Suzuki

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom PROM 40 – Bach, St. John Passion: Benjamin Bruns (tenor – Evangelist), Alexander Chance (countertenor), Christian Immler (bass – Jesus), Carolyn Sampson (soprano), Shimon Yoshida (tenor), Yusuke Watanabe (bass – Pilate), Bach Collegium Japan / Masaaki Suzuki (conductor), Royal Albert Hall, London, 19.8.2024 (JR)

Masaaki Suzuki conducts Bach’s St John Passion at the BBC Proms © BBC/Mark Allan

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Abundant Entertainment: G&S’s The Yeoman of the Guard from Charles Court Opera and Opera Holland Park

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Gilbert and Sullivan: The Yeoman of the Guard: Soloists, Chorus of Opera Holland Park, City of London Sinfonia / David Eaton (conductor). Opera Holland Park, London. 7.8.2024. (JR)

Amy J Payne as Dame Carruthers in The Yeomen of the Guard at Opera Holland Park © Ellie Kurttz

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