United Kingdom Harbison, Barber, Rachmaninov: James Ehnes (violin), BBC Philharmonic / James Feddeck (conductor). Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, 1.4.2017. (RBa)
Rob Barnett
IN MEMORIAM LOUIS FRÉMAUX (1921-2017)
Louis Frémaux (13 August 1921 – 20 March 2017) – an obituary by Rob Barnett
As ever, the bare bones of any person’s life tell us but a small part of the individual’s story and heritage. Louis Frémaux is no different in that respect. That said we need to lay them out:
– Born in Aire-sur-la-Lys, Pas-de-Calais, France in 1921 and he studied at the Valenciennes Conservatoire.
– War service in the Resistance and then as a Foreign Legion Captain in the French armed forces in Vietnam (1945-46)
– Resumed his war-interrupted studies, this time at the Paris Conservatoire with Louis Fourestier where he took first prize in conducting in 1952.
A triumphant all-Vaughan Williams concert in North-West England
United Kingdom Vaughan Williams: Alison Pearce (soprano), Peter Edge (baritone), Chester Music Society Choir, Liverpool Sinfonia / Graham Jordan Ellis (conductor) Chester Cathedral, Chester. 25.3.2017. (RBa)
When in Rome – a Long-Delayed UK Premiere of Wolf-Ferrari’s Violin Concerto
Wagner, Wolf-Ferrari, Respighi, Mendelssohn: Francesca Dego (violin),, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra / Daniele Rustioni (conductor), Symphony Hall, Birmingham. 8.3.2017. (RBa)
1940s Brilliance, One of Shostakovich’s Most Dour Creations and Hindemith at his Most Majestic
United Kingdom Antheil, Shostakovich, Hindemith: Leonard Elschenbroich (cello), BBC Philharmonic / John Storgårds (conductor), MediaCityUK, Salford. 15.2.2017. (RBa)
New BBC Phil Principal Guest Conductor presides over British music concert
United Kingdom Foulds, Bridge, Walton, Arnold: Alexandra Wood (violin), BBC Philharmonic / Ben Gernon (conductor), MediaCityUK, Salford. 31.01.2017. (RB)
Another all-English John Wilson concert at Salford Quays
United Kingdom Bax, Vaughan Williams: BBC Philharmonic / John Wilson (conductor), BBC Philharmonic Studio, MediaCityUK, Salford Quays, 22.12.2016 (RB)
Ginastera’s Contrasting Piano Concertos Accompany a Basque’s Tribute to Cervantes’ Doleful Knight
United Kingdom Ginastera, Guridi: Xiayin Wang (piano); BBC Philharmonic / Juanjo Mena (conductor), BBC Philharmonic Studio, MediaCityUK, Salford Quays. 15.11.2016. (RB)