United Kingdom PROM 27 – Saariaho, Mozart, R. Strauss: Silja Aalto (soprano), Anssi Karttunen (cello), Seong-Jin Cho (piano), BBC Symphony Orchestra / Sakari Oramo (conductor), Chris Hopkins (offstage conductor, Alpine Symphony). Royal Albert Hall, London, 9.8.2024. (CC)
Concert Reviews
The complete list of posted concert reviews
The St Martin performance of Les Illuminations with Mary Bevan will live long in the memory
United Kingdom Greenwood, Britten, Beethoven: Mary Bevan (soprano); 12 Ensemble. St Martin-in-the-Fields, London, 8.8.2024. (CC)
What a delight it was to see and hear the talented young NYO musicians in stormy Wagner and epic Mahler
United Kingdom PROM 30 – Wagner, Mazzoli, Howard, Mahler: Musicians from NYO Inspire, The National Youth Orchestra / Alexandre Bloch (conductor), Tess Jackson (conductor, Howard). Recorded (directed by Rhodri Huw) at the Royal Albert Hall, London, 10.8.2024 and available for a limited time on BBC iPlayer. (JPr)
Glorious Proms Fairy Queen delivered by excellent musicians and singers, and astonishing break dancers
United Kingdom PROM 24 – Purcell, The Fairy Queen: Le Jardin des Voix, Compagnie Käfig, Les Arts Florissants / Paul Agnew (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London, 6.8.2024. (AK)
Suk’s ‘Asrael’ symphony brings the Bamberger Symphoniker’s residency in Edinburgh to a spectacular close
United Kingdom Edinburgh International Festival 2024 [6] – Dvořák, Suk: Kateřina Knĕžíkova (soprano), Adam Plachetka (bass-baritone), Edinburgh Festival Chorus (director: James Grossmith), Bamberger Symphoniker /Jakub Hrůša (conductor). Usher Hall, Edinburgh, 9.8.2024. (GT)
Breathing life into Beethoven: a thrilling Triple Concerto and vibrant Fourth Symphony at Tanglewood
United States Tanglewood Festival 2024 [10] – Beethoven: Kirill Gerstein (piano), Joshua Bell (violin), Steven Isserlis (cello), Boston Symphony Orchestra / Alan Gilbert (conductor). Koussevitzky Shed, Lenox, 4.8.2024. (CSa)
More diverse Queen’s Hall music at the EIF from Raphaël Feuillâtre and Stephan Dohr (and friends)
United Kingdom Edinburgh International Festival 2024 [5]: Raphaël Feuillâtre (guitar, 9.8), Stephan Dohr (horn, 10.8), Carolin Widmann (violin, 10.8), Dénes Várjon (piano, 10.8). Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, 9 & 10.8.2024. (SRT)
Consolation and utter serenity from Ton Koopman’s magnificent performance of the St John Passion
France Itinéraire Baroque en Périgord, 2024 [5] – Bach, Johannes-Passion, BWV 245 (1724): Amelia Berridge (soprano), Sophia Faltas (mezzo-soprano), Tilman Lichdi (tenor), Klaus Mertens (bass), Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir / Ton Koopman (conductor / harpsichord). Église de Saint-Astier, Dordogne, France. 4.8.2024. (CC)