United Kingdom PROM 23 – John McLeod, Beethoven, and Mozart: Carolyn Sampson (soprano), Christine Rice (mezzo-soprano), Jeremy Ovenden (tenor), Neil Davies (bass), National Youth Choir of Scotland (chorus master: Christopher Bell), BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Donald Runnicles (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London, 3.8.2014 (MB)
Mark Berry
Haitink’s Thoroughly Admirable Haydn Opens the Salzburg Festival
Austria Salzburg Festival [1] – Haydn, Die Schöpfung: Soloists, Bavarian Radio Chorus (chorus master: Peter Dijkstra), Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Bernard Haitink (conductor). Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburg, 18.7.2014 (MB)
A Sparkling and Stylish Recital from Mahan Esfahani
United Kingdom François Couperin, Bach, C.P.E. Bach, Benda, and Takemitsu:Mahan Esfahani (harpsichord). Wigmore Hall, London, 15.7.2014 (MB)
Time to Pension Off Covent Garden’s Current La bohème?
United Kingdom Puccini, La bohème: Soloists, Extra Chorus, Members of Tiffin Children’s Chorus, Royal Opera Chorus (chorus master: Renato Balsadonna), Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Cornelius Meister (conductor). Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, 9.7.2014 (MB)
Excellent Performance of Early Rachmaninov Opera
United Kingdom Rachmaninov, Aleko (concert performance): Soloists, Chorus (chorus master: William Cole), Melos Sinfonia, / Oliver Zeffman (conductor), St John’s Smith Square, London, 7.7.2014 (MB)
First Half of Demidenko Recital Proves Puzzling
United Kingdom Chopin, Rachmaninov, and Medtner: Nikolai Demidenko (piano). Wigmore Hall, London, 5.7.2014 (MB)
Opera Holland Park reveals cruel, glistening beauty of Britten’s score
United Kingdom Britten, The Turn of the Screw: Soloists, City of London Sinfonia / Steuart Bedford (conductor). Holland Park, London, 1.7.2014. (MB)
Turangalîla Provides a Wonderful Season Finale for the LSO
United Kingdom Beethoven and Messiaen:Steven Osborne (piano), Cynthia Miller (ondes-Martenot), London Symphony Orchestra, Jonathan Nott (conductor). Barbican Hall, London, 29.6.2014 (MB)