United Kingdom Laura Samuel Memorial Concert: The Belcea Quartet, Stephanie Gonley, Benjamin Nabarro, Yuri Zhislin, Annabelle Meare, Katherine Gowers, David Routledge (violins), Scott Dickenson, Laurence Power (violas), Alice Neary, Amy Norrington, Adrian Brendel (cellos), Graham Mitchell (double bass), Richard Watkins (horn), Richard Hosford (clarinet), Mark Padmore (tenor), Ian Bostridge (tenor) Imogen Cooper, Julius Drake, Ryan Wigglesworth (pianos), Alasdair Tait, Martyn Brabbins (speakers). Wigmore Hall, London, 4.1.2026. (CSa)
UK Concerts
All concert reviews from the UK.
Kirill Gerstein’s Wigmore Hall recital rings in the New Year in fine style
United Kingdom Liszt and Brahms: Kirill Gerstein (piano). Wigmore Hall, London, 7.1.2026. (MB)
The National Youth Orchestra at Warwick Arts Centre preserves the tradition of an evening of surprises
United Kingdom Debussy, Karim Al-Zand, Anna Clyne, Ravel – Shimmer: Inbal Segev (cello), The National Youth Orchestra / Alexandre Bloch (conductor). Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, 5.1.2026. (CP)
Elizabeth Watts lights up Bristol Beacon with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
United Kingdom Johann Strauss I, Johann Strauss II, Josef Strauss, Franz Lehár: Elizabeth Watts (soprano), Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra / Mark Wigglesworth (conductor). Bristol Beacon, 3.1.2026. (CK)
Israel in Egypt on a smaller scale: Solomon’s Knot draws together all the threads of Handel’s Baroque oratorio
United Kingdom Handel, Israel in Egypt, HWV54 (1739): Singers and instrumentalists of Solomon’s Knot. Wigmore Hall, London, 22.12.2025. (CSa)
Superb Vaughan Williams crowns a stimulating concert of British music from Pappano and the LSO in Bristol
United Kingdom Musgrave, Walton, Vaughan Williams: Antoine Tamestit (viola), London Symphony Orchestra / Sir Antonio Pappano (conductor). Bristol Beacon, 13.12.2025. (CK)
Superbly contrasting evening of twentieth-century French music from Ilan Volkov and the BBC SSO
United Kingdom Barraine, Ohana, Ravel, Debussy: Nicholas Hodges (pianist), Upper Voices of the RCS Chamber Choir (director: Andrew Nunn), BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra / Ilan Volkov (conductor). City Halls, Glasgow, 11.12.2025. (GT)
Jaime Martín conducts the BBC National Orchestra of Wales with touches of brilliance
United Kingdom Grieg, Nielsen, Tchaikovsky, ‘Fairytales & Fantasy’: Elizaveta Ivanova (flute), BBC National Orchestra of Wales / Jaime Martín (conductor). Hoddinott Hall, Cardiff, 11.12.2025. (LJ)
