United Kingdom Glanert, Haydn, and Brahms: Paul Watkins (cello), BBC Symphony Orchestra, Semyon Bychkov (conductor). Barbican Hall, London, 12.1.2016. (MB)
Mark Berry
A Splendid Schubert Recital from Benjamin Appl and Jonathan Ware
United Kingdom Schubert: Benjamin Appl (bass-baritone), Jonathan Ware (piano). Wigmore Hall, London, 11.1.2016. (MB)
A Fascinating Collection of Recent Pieces, Expertly Performed
United Kingdom Castellarnau, Agnes, Saunders, Malondra, Watanabe, and Bagés: ClapTON ensemble, Morphosis Ensemble. St Leonard’s, Shoreditch, London, 10.1.2016. (MB)
Benjamin Appl and Graham Johnson on Impressive Form
United Kingdom Schumann, Mendelssohn, Brahms, Pfitzner, and Wolf: Benjamin Appl (baritone), Graham Johnson (piano). Wigmore Hall, London, 4.1.2016 (MB)
2015 Draws to a Close with Fine Schumann from the Modigliani Quartet
United Kingdom Schumann: Modigliani Quartet [Philippe Bernhard, Loïc Rio (violins), Laurent Marfaing (viola), François Kieffer (cello)], Beatrice Rana (piano). Wigmore Hall, London, 30.12.2015. (MB)
Confusing Eugene Onegin with Responsive Orchestra under Bychkov at Covent Garden
United Kingdom Tchaikovsky, Eugene Onegin: Soloists, Royal Opera Chorus and Extra Chorus (chorus master: Renata Balsadonna), Dancers, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Semyon Bychkov (conductor), Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, 19.12.2015. (MB)
and Nicole Car (Tatyana) (c) Bill Cooper
Vocal Music by Schütz and Christopher Fox: A Telling and Thought-Provoking Combination
United Kingdom Schütz and Fox: EXAUDI [Juliet Fraser, Rebecca Lea (sopranos), Tom Williams (countertenor), Ben Alden, Jonathan Bungard (tenor), Simon Whiteley, Jimmy Holliday (bass), Stephen Farr (organ), James Weeks (conductor)]. Wigmore Hall, London, 20.12.2015. (MB)