Concert Reviews – Page 2 – Seen and Heard International

Power, precision and perfection: the Borodin Quartet at 80

18/01/2025 by Christopher Sallon

United Kingdom Brahms and Tchaikovsky: Borodin String Quartet (Nikolai Sachenko [violin], Sergei Lomovsky [violin], Igor Naidin [viola], Vladimir Balshin [cello]). Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, 12.1.2025. (CSa)

The Purcell brothers and The Sixteen ring in the New Year at Wigmore Hall

14/01/2025 by Mark Berry

United Kingdom Henry Purcell, Daniel Purcell: The Sixteen / Harry Christophers (conductor). Wigmore Hall, London, 13.1.2025. (MB)

Harry Christophers conducts The Sixteen at the Wigmore Hall © WH

Blomstedt concludes the celebration of Bruckner’s 200th in Berlin with a heavenly Ninth Symphony

12/01/2025 by Gregor Tassie

Germany Mozart, Bruckner: Leif Ove Andsnes (soloist), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra / Herbert Blomstedt (conductor). Livestreamed from the Berlin Philharmonie on 21.12.2024 and available on the Digital Concert Hall. (GT)

Herbert Blomstedt conducts pianist Leif Ove Andsnes and the BPO © Monika Rittershaus

Batiashvili’s masterful Beethoven and Ticciati’s vibrant Dvořák was the LA Phil’s music-making at its finest

11/01/2025 by Laurence Vittes

United States Batiashvili Plays Beethoven: Lisa Batiashvili (violin), Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra / Robin Ticciati (conductor). Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles, 5.1.2025. (LV)

Violinist Lisa Batiashvili plays Beethoven at the Walt Disney Concert Hall © Elizabeth Asher

Andris Nelsons commands a memorable performance of Bruckner’s Eighth in Berlin

10/01/202509/01/2025 by Gregor Tassie

Germany Bruckner: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra / Andris Nelsons (conductor). Livestreamed from the Berlin Philharmonie on 14.12.2024 and available on the Digital Concert Hall. (GT)

Andris Nelsons conducts the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra © Lena Laine

Simone Young directs masterfully a terrific performance of Bruckner’s Second Symphony in Berlin

07/01/2025 by Gregor Tassie

Germany Rihm, Bruckner: Vida Miknevičūite (soprano), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra / Simone Young (conductor). Livestreamed from the Berlin Philharmonie on 7.12.2024 and available on the Digital Concert Hall. (GT)

Simone Young conducts the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra © Monika Rittershaus

The NYO community demonstrates brilliance and a creative passion at their Illuminate concert in Warwick

11/01/202507/01/2025 by Clive Peacock

United Kingdom Ravel, Thorvaldsdottir, Nielsen: National Youth Orchestra / Jaime Martín (conductor). Warwick Arts Centre, Warwick University, 5.1.2025. (CP)

Members of the National Youth Orchestra performing at Warwick Arts Centre

Long Live Puccini! La Scala overcomes adversity to perform 100 years to the day after he died

04/01/2025 by Jim Pritchard

Italy Italy La Scala per Puccini: Jonas Kaufmann, Luciano Ganci (tenors), Anna Netrebko, Mariangela Sicilia (soprano), James Vaughan (piano). Filmed (directed by Stefania Grimaldi) at La Scala, Milan, 29.11.2024 and available on ARTE Concert until 28.3.2025. (JPr)