Two orchestras, three choirs make for a mighty Mahler’s Third: Ryan Bancroft and BBC NOW at the Proms

United KingdomUnited Kingdom BBC Proms 2025 [13] – Mahler: Beth Taylor (mezzo-soprano), CBSO Children’s Chorus, CBSO Youth Chorus, BBC National Chorus of Wales (chorusmaster: Adrian Partington), BBC National Orchestra of Wales / Ryan Bancroft (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London, 11.8.2025. (JR)

Ryan Bancroft conducts mezzo-soprano Beth Taylor, the BBC NOW and choruses in Mahler © Chris Christodoulou/BBC

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Shuddering Shostakovich and stirring Chaminade: The Sitkovetsky Trio at the Edinburgh International Festival

United KingdomUnited Kingdom Edinburgh International Festival 2025 [4]: Beethoven, Chaminade, Kashani, Shostakovich: Sitkovetsky Trio (Alexander Sitkovetsky [violin], Isang Enders [cello] and Wu Qian [piano]). Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, 12.8.2025. (SRT)

Sitkovetsky Trio

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Fierce Mahler from Elim Chan and the Clevelanders and breathtaking Ravel from Christiane Karg

United StatesUnited States Blossom Music Festival 2025 [5]: Christiane Karg (soprano), Cleveland Orchestra / Elim Chan (conductor). Blossom Music Center, Cuyahoga Falls, 9.8.2025. (MSJ)

Elim Chan conducts The Cleveland Orchestra © Scott Esterly/TCO

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Iván Fischer and Budapest Festival Orchestra’s Beethoven and Bartók keeps the Prommers spellbound

United KingdomUnited Kingdom BBC Proms 2025 [11] – Beethoven, Bartók: Dorottya Láng (mezzo-soprano), Krisztián Cser (bass), Budapest Festival Orchestra / Iván Fischer (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London, 6.8.2025. (AK)

Iván Fischer conducts Dorottya Láng (Judith), Krisztián Cser (Bluebeard) and the Budapest Festival Orchestra © BBC/Andy Paradise

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Wroclaw’s NFM Leopoldinum Orchestra bring sheer richness of sound to the EIF’s Focus on Poland

United KingdomUnited Kingdom Edinburgh International Festival 2025 [3]: Bacewicz, R Strauss, Kilar, Bizet/Shchedrin: NFM Leopoldinum Orchestra / Alexander Sitkovetsy (leader/director). Usher Hall, Edinburgh, 10.8.2025. (SRT)

NFM Leopoldinum Orchestra (at a previous concert) © Karol Sokolowski (1)

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