United Kingdom Debussy, Schnittke, Messiaen, and Beethoven: Alban Gerhardt (cello), Steven Osborne (piano). Wigmore Hall, London, 5.3.2015 (MB)
Mark Berry
An Impressive Wigmore Hall Debut by Antonii Baryshevskyi
United Kingdom Scarlatti, Ligeti, Chopin, Messiaen, and Schumann: Antonii Baryshevskyi (piano). Wigmore Hall, London, 2.3.2015 (MB)
The London Sinfonietta’s ‘Spectrum of Sound’
United Kingdom Haas, Xenakis, Levi, and Vivier: London Sinfonietta, André de Ridder (conductor). Purcell Room, London, 27.2.2015 (MB)
Musical strengths of Purcell’s Indian Queen marred by baleful, self-indulgent production
United Kingdom Purcell, The Indian Queen: Soloists, Chorus (chorus master: Christopher Bucknall) and Orchestra of the English National Opera / Laurence Cummings (conductor). London Coliseum, 26.2.2015. (MB)
Ivo Pogorelich: Truly a Law Unto Himself
United Kingdom Liszt, Schumann, Stravinsky, and Brahms: Ivo Pogorelich (piano). Royal Festival Hall, London, 24.2.2015 (MB)
Refreshed and Reinvigorated Die Zauberflöte at Covent Garden
United Kingdom Mozart, Die Zauberflöte: Soloists, Royal Opera House, Chorus (chorus master: Renato Balsadonna), Orchestra of the Royal Opera House / Cornelius Meister (conductor). Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, 23.2.2015 (MB)
The Last Act of the Berliner Philharmoniker’s London Residence Promises More Than It Delivers
Lachenmann and Mahler: Kate Royal (soprano), Magdalena Kožená (mezzo-soprano), London Symphony Chorus, CBSO Chorus (chorus director: Simon Halsey), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Simon Rattle (conductor). Royal Festival Hall, London, 15.2.2015 (MB)
Centuries-old ‘Minimalism’ from the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge
United Kingdom Parsons, Plainsong, Dunstable, Hacomplaynt, Tallis, Damett, Byttering, Henry V, Power, and Fayrfax: Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, Stephen Cleobury (conductor). Hall One, Kings Place, 4.3.2015 (MB)