International Concerts

All non-UK concert reviews

A blazing season opener in Cleveland with Zimmermann and Vänskä

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United StatesUnited States Prokofiev, R. Schumann, Tchaikovsky: Frank Peter Zimmermann (violin), Cleveland Orchestra / Osmo Vänskä (conductor). Mandel Concert Hall at Severance Music Center, Cleveland, 22.9.2024. (MSJ)

Frank Peter Zimmermann performs Schumann’s Violin Concert with the Cleveland Orchestra conducted by Osmo Vänskä © Aireonna McCall-Dubé/CO

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Il Pomo d’Oro remain a class act, though Bruno de Sá is a disappointing substitute at Bayreuth Baroque

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GermanyGermany Bayreuth Baroque 2024 [1] – Gala Concert: Bruno de Sá (male soprano), Il Pomo d’Oro / Alfia Bakieva (violin/director). Markgräfliches Opernhaus, Bayreuth, 6.9.2024. (CC)

Male soprano Bruno de Sá and Il Pomo D’Oro © Clemens Manser Photography

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Excellent performances from the Berlin Phil and Jonathan Nott in a varied Musikfest programme

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GermanyGermany Musikfest Berlin 2024 [5] – Mazzoli, Eötvös, and Ives: Pierre-Laurent Aimard (piano), Ernst Senff Choir (chorus master: Steffen Schubert), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Gregor A. Mayrhofer (co-conductor), Jonathan Nott (conductor). Philharmonie Berlin, 8.9.2024. (MB)

Pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard at the Philharmonie Berlin with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra © Stephan Rabold

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Two young gifted musicians wrestle with late-Romantic masterpieces in the Hong Kong Phil’s season opener

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Hong KongHong Kong Sibelius and Bruckner: Daniel Lozakovich (violin), Hong Kong Philharmonic / Tarmo Peltokoski (conductor). Livestreamed on STAGE+ from the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Hong Kong, 6.9.2024. (ES-S)

Conductor Tarmo Peltokoski and violinist Daniel Lozakovich

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Manacorda’s patient direction is amply rewarded in Musikfest Berlin’s Ives, Kloke, Mahler, and Dvořák

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GermanyGermany Musikfest Berlin 2024 [4] – Ives, Kloke, Mahler, and Dvořák: Anna Prohaska (soprano), Mahler Chamber Orchestra / Antonello Manacorda (conductor). Philharmonie Berlin, 5.9.2024. (MB)

Antonello Manacorda conducts the Mahler Chamber Orchestra © Berliner Festspiele/Fabian Schellhorn

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Tchaikovsky and Holst prove a fine start to the Strasbourg Philharmonic’s season

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FranceFrance Tchaikovsky, Holst: Behzod Abduraimov (piano), Maîtrise de l’Opéra du Rhin, Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra / Aziz Shokhakimov (conductor). Salle Erasme, Palais des Congrès, Strasbourg, 5.9.2024. (CC)

Aziz Shokhakimov conducts pianist Behzod Abduraimov and the Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra

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Iván Fischer’s Budapest Concert for Peace sees and hears music and peace triumph

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HungaryHungary Concert for Peace – Read Thomas, Bach, Raichel, Mahler: Mirella Hagen (soprano), Diana Tishchenko (violin), Alexander Sitkovetsky (violin), Idan Raichel (voice), Taiseer Elias (oud), Budapest Festival Orchestra / Iván Fischer (conductor). Heroes’ Square, Budapest, 31.8.2024. (AK)

Iván Fischer’s Concert for Peace in Budapest’s Heroes’ Square @ Stiller Ákos

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