Exploration of fascinating pieces by Ann Cleare and Enno Poppe at Musikfest Berlin

GermanyGermany Musikfest Berlin [4] – Cleare and Poppe: Hannah Weirich (violin), Sara Cubarsi (violin), Michele Marelli (clarinet), Ensemble Musikfabrik, Aaron Cassidy and Enno Poppe (conductors). Philharmonie, Berlin, 5.9.2021. (MB)

Ann Cleare at Musikfest Berlin (c) Astrid Ackermann

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Vladimir Jurowski leads probing Musikfest Berlin performances of Stravinsky and Hindemith

GermanyGermany Musikfest Berlin [3] – Stravinsky and Hindemith: Tamara Stefanovich (piano), Georg Nigl (baritone), Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra / Vladimir Jurowski (conductor). Philharmonie, Berlin, 4.9.2021. (MB)

Vladimir Jurowski conducts the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra (c) Peter Meisel

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An evening of wonderful musical connections masterminded by George Benjamin

GermanyGermany Musikfest Berlin [2] – Knussen, Purcell, Stravinsky, and Benjamin: Tamara Stefanovich (piano), Mahler Chamber Orchestra / George Benjamin (conductor). Philharmonie, Berlin, 2.9.2021. (MB)

George Benjamin conducts the Mahler Chamber Orchestra (c) Astrid Ackermann

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Harding and Concertgebouw demonstrate the wonders of the modern symphony orchestra at Berlin’s Musikfest

GermanyGermany Musikfest Berlin [1] – Stravinsky, Messiaen, and Debussy: Renée Fleming (soprano), Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra / Daniel Harding (conductor). Philharmonie, Berlin, 31.8.2021 (MB)

Daniel Harding conducts Renée Fleming & the Concertgebouw (c) Astrid Ackermann

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Komische Oper’s new Œdipe in Berlin is a major achievement

GermanyGermany Enescu, Œdipe: Soloists, Choir of the Komische Oper Berlin, Vocalconsort Berlin (chorus director: David Cavelius), Children’s Choir of the Komische Oper Berlin (chorus director: Dagmar Fiebach), Orchestra of the Komische Oper Berlin, Ainārs Rubikis (conductor). Komische Oper, Berlin, 29.8.2021. (MB)

Enescu’s Œdipe at Berlin’s Komische Oper (c) Monika Rittershaus

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The BBC Proms experiences the sonic cornucopia of George Lewis’s intriguing new work

United KingdomUnited Kingdom BBC Proms 2021 [16] – Lewis and Beethoven: Lucy Crowe (soprano), Damon Holzborn (computer software design/realisation), Sound Intermedia, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra / Ilan Volkov (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London, 26.8.2021. (MB)

Ilan Volkov conducts the BBC SSO (c) Chris Christodoulou

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Stimulating Rameau, but a perverse view of Mozart’s Requiem at the Proms

United KingdomUnited Kingdom  BBC Proms 2021 [13] – Rameau, Bologne, and Mozart: Samantha Clarke (soprano), Claudia Huckle (contralto), Nick Pritchard (tenor), William Thomas (bass), The National Youth Chamber Choir, Britten Sinfonia / David Bates (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London, 20.8.2021. (MB)

Samantha Clarke (soprano) (c) BBC/Chris Christodoulou

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