Germany Mendelssohn, Schubert: Ruth Ziesak (soprano), Alisa Kolosova (mezzo), Saimir Pirgu (tenor), Michele Pertusi (bass), Riccardo Muti (conductor), Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Bavarian Radio Chorus, Herkulessaal, Munich, 20.12.2012 (JFL)
International Concerts
All non-UK concert reviews
New York Philharmonic’s Messiah Done Just Right
United States Handel, Messiah: Layla Claire (soprano), Tim Mead (countertenor), Kenneth Tarver, (tenor), Alastair Miles (bass), The New York Choral Artists, Joseph Flummerfelt (director), The New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Gary Thor Wedow (conductor), Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, New York 18-22.12.2012 (SSM)
Munich Philharmonic Warhorses
Germany Wagner, Debussy, Stravinsky: Lorin Maazel (conductor), Munich Philharmonic, Philharmonic Hall Gasteig, Munich, 15.11.2012 (JFL)
Hamelin: Piano-Pyrotechnician Gone Soft
Germany Bach, Debussy, Busoni, Hamelin, Rachmaninoff: Marc-André Hamelin (piano), Herkulessaal, Munich, 12.12.2012 (JFL)
Rameau Turns French Opera Topsy-Turvy
United States Rameau: “Demons and Monsters: The Theatrical Orchestra of Jean-Phillipe Rameau,” Robert Mealy (violin and director), Mary Feminear, Pureum Jo (sopranos), John Brancy (baritone), Davone Tines (Bass-baritone), Juilliard415 (orchestra), Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center, New York, 14.12.2012 (SSM)
Penderecki’s New Double Concerto
Germany Beethoven, Penderecki: Janine Jansen (violin), Julian Rachlin (viola), Mariss Jansons (conductor), Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Herkulessaal, Munich, 16.11.2012 (JFL)
Summoned to Heaven by Refreshing “Messiah”
United States Handel, Messiah: Shannon Mercer (soprano), Laura Pudwell (mezzo-soprano), Ross Hauck (tenor), Kevin Deas (bass), Seattle Symphony Chorale, Seattle Symphony, Stephen Stubbs (conductor and harpsichord), Benaroya Hall, Seattle, 16.12.2012 (BJ)
Mariss Janson’s Beethoven Cycle
Germany Beethoven, Mochizuki: Yefim Bronfman (piano), Esa-Pekka Salonen (conductor), Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonic Hall Gasteig, Munich, 9.11.2012 (JFL)