Concert Reviews – Seen and Heard International

Memorable Chan, Capuçon and OSR concert at Aix, with moments of magic beyond count in Prokofiev

24/04/2025 by Colin Clarke

France Aix-en-Provence Easter Festival [2]: Ogonek, R. Strauss, Prokofiev: Renaud Capuçon (violin), Orchestre de la Suisse Romande / Elim Chan (conductor). Grand Théâtre de Provence, Aix-en-Provence, France, 19.4.2025. (CC)

Elim Chan conducts the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande © Caroline Doutre/Festival de Pâques

Budapest performance of two halves: Grigory Sokolov plays Byrd and Brahms

24/04/2025 by Lucy Jeffery

Hungary Byrd and Brahms: Grigory Sokolov (piano). Béla Bartók National Concert Hall, Müpa, Budapest, 23.4.2025. (LJ)

Formidable Grieg Piano Concerto from Sir Stephen Hough in Vancouver

24/04/2025 by Geoffrey Newman

Canada Ravel, Grieg, Rachmaninoff: Sir Stephen Hough (piano), Vancouver Symphony Orchestra / Stanislav Kochanovsky (conductor). Orpheum Theatre, Vancouver, 13.4.2025. (GN)

Sir Stephen Hough and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra © VSO

Notable young talent on violin, flute, and viola excel at Aix

24/04/202523/04/2025 by Colin Clarke

France Ravel, Fauré, Saint-Saëns – Génération @ Aix: Anneleen Lenaerts (harp/mentor), Thomas Briant (violin), Sara Ferrández (viola), Alberto Navarra (flute). Théâtre du Jeu de Palme, Aix-en-Provence, 19.4.2025. (CC)

[Clockwise from l] Anneleen Lenaerts, Thomas Briant, Sara Ferrández and Alberto Navarra

The Jerusalem Quartet plunges into the Shostakovich Cycle in Cleveland

23/04/202522/04/2025 by Mark S Jordan

United States Shostakovich Cycle [I]: Jerusalem Quartet (Alexander Pavlosky, Sergei Bresler [violins], Ori Kam [(viola], Kyril Zlotnikov [cello]). Gartner Auditorium, Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, 21.4.2025. (MSJ)

Jerusalem Quartet playing Shostakovich in Cleveland © Ron Werman/CCMS

A century of tradition: Stainer’s The Crucifixion at The Brick Church

23/04/202522/04/2025 by Rick Perdian

United States Stainer, The Crucifixion: Sean Fallen (tenor), Nathaniel Sullivan (baritone), Alistair Reid (organist), Chancel Choir / Raymond Nagem (conductor). The Brick Presbyterian Church, New York, 18.4.2025. (RP)

Nathaniel Sullivan (baritone), Raymond Nagem (conductor), Sean Fallen (tenor) and The Brick Church Chancel Choir © The Brick Church

Intriguing Mahler performance and rare Weill from Oramo and the BBC Symphony Orchestra

22/04/202521/04/2025 by Mark Berry

United Kingdom Howell, Weill, and Mahler: Anu Komsi (soprano), BBC Symphony Orchestra / Sakari Oramo (conductor, violin). Barbican Hall, London, 16.4.2025. (MB)

Anu Komsi (soprano and Sakari Oramo (conductor, violin) © Mark Allan/BBC

Excellent account of James MacMillan’s St John Passion marks Good Friday in Dublin

22/04/202521/04/2025 by Robert Beattie

Ireland Sir James MacMillan’s St John Passion: Seán Boylan (Christus), National Symphony Chorus (choral director: David Young), Chamber Choir Ireland, National Symphony Orchestra / David Hill (conductor). National Concert Hall, Dublin, 18.4.2025. (RB)