International Concerts

All non-UK concert reviews

Esa-Pekka Salonen’s Cello Concerto creates a giddy ride in its San Francisco debut

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United StatesUnited States Beethoven, Salonen, Debussy: Rainer Eudeikis (cello), San Francisco Symphony / Esa-Pekka Salonen (conductor). Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, 18.10.2024. (HS)

Rainer Eudeikis (cello, front l) and Jacob Nissly (bongos and congas, front r) © Brandon Patoc

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Mahler illuminated by Mäkelä’s two-ended candlelight in Cleveland

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United StatesUnited States Mahler: Jennifer Johnston (mezzo-soprano), Cleveland Orchestra Chorus (director: Lisa Wong), Cleveland Orchestra Children’s Chorus (director: Jennifer Rozsa), Cleveland Orchestra / Klaus Mäkelä (conductor). Mandel Concert Hall at Severance Music Center, Cleveland, 17.10.2024. (MSJ)

Jennifer Rozsa and Lisa Wong (CO Chorus directors), Jennifer Johnson (mezzo-soprano), and Klaus Mäkelä (conductor) © Roger Mastroianni

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Joyce DiDonato and four amazing singers in master classes at Carnegie Hall

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United StatesUnited States ‘Joyce DiDonato Master Classes’: Joyce DiDonato with Bridget Esler (soprano), Michelle Mariposa (mezzo-soprano), Ben Reisinger (tenor), Robert Ellsworth Feng (bass), Joel Harder & Justina Lee (piano). Carnegie Hall’s Resnick Education Wing, New York, 11-12.10.2024. (RP)

Robert Ellsworth Feng (bass) with Joyce DiDonato © Chris Lee

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An ovation from the Cleveland Orchestra for conductor/composer Esa-Pekka Salonen

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United StatesUnited States Ravel, Salonen, Sibelius: Senja Rummukainen (cello), Cleveland Orchestra / Esa-Pekka Salonen (conductor). Mandel Concert Hall at Severance Music Center, Cleveland, 13.10.2024. (MSJ)

Senja Rummukainen plays Salonen’s Cello Concerto © Roger Mastroianni/TCO

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An imbalanced rendering of Mahler’s Symphony No.8 in Boston

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United StatesUnited States Mahler, Symphony No.8: Soloists, Tanglewood Festival Chorus (conductor: James Burton), Boys of the Saint Paul’s Choir School (music director: Brandon Straub), Boston Symphony Orchestra / Andris Nelsons (conductor). Symphony Hall, Boston, 6.10.2024. (ES-S)

Andris Nelsons conducts Mahler Symphony No. 8 with the BSO © Winslow Townson

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Ortiz’s ecological vision and Dudamel’s Shakespearean dream at Disney Hall

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United StatesUnited States Ortiz, Mendelssohn: Alisa Weilerstein (cello), Jana McIntyre (soprano), Deepa Johnny (mezzo-soprano), María Valverde (narrator), Los Angeles Master Chorale, Los Angeles Philharmonic / Gustavo Dudamel (conductor). Disney Hall, Los Angeles, 3.10.2024. (LV)

Conductor Gustavo Dudamel, composer Gabriela Ortiz and cellist Alisa Weilerstein after the premiere of Dzonot © Timothy Norris/LA Phil

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