UK Concerts

All concert reviews from the UK.

A most memorable Philharmonia evening: a major UK premiere and a Kullervo for the ages

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Nordic Soundscapes – Sigfúsdóttir, Grieg, Sibelius: Stephen Hough (piano), Johanna Rusanen (soprano), Tommi Hakala (baritone), YL Male Choir, Philharmonia Orchestra / Santtu-Mathias Rouvali (conductor). Royal Festival Hall, London, 26.9.2024. (CC)

Pianist Stephen Hough and the Philharmonia conducted by Santtu-Matias Rouvali © Mark Allan/PO

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Sestina Music convey the intense spirituality of music by Charpentier and de Brossard in Belfast

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Sestina Music’s Lux et Umbra – Charpentier, Sébastien de Brossard: Sestina Music (Mark Chambers [musical director / countertenor], Sarah Keating, Áine Smith [sopranos], Laoise O’Brien, Elisabeth Vogel [recorders], Sarah Groser [viols], Tristan Russcher [keyboards]). Fisherwick Presbyterian Church, Belfast, 19.9.2024. (RB)

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A miraculous Wigmore Hall evening by The Mozartists, one that will not be forgotten for a long time

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Jommelli – a celebration: Fflur Wyn (soprano), Ambroisine Bré (mezzo-soprano), Hugo Brady (tenor), The Mozartists / Ian Page (conductor). Wigmore Hall, London, 18.9.2024. (CC)

Fflur Wyn (soprano) and Ambroisine Bré (mezzo-soprano) © Ben Ealovega

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Notes of unity, times of division: Dudamel at the Hollywood Bowl in the shadow of the debate

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United StatesUnited States Bernstein, Beethoven: Key’mon Murrah (countertenor), Hera Hyesang Park (soprano), Rihab Chaieb (mezzo-soprano), Anthony León (tenor), Dashon Burton (bass), Los Angeles Master Chorale (artistic director: Grant Gershon), Los Angeles Philharmonic / Gustavo Dudamel (conductor). Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, 12.9.2024. (LV)

[l-r] Dashon Burton, Rihab Chaieb, Gustavo Dudamel, Anthony León, Hera Hyesang Park, Grant Gershon, Key’mon Murrah © Timothy Norris/LA Phil

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Last Night of the Proms 2024: an evening of questionable programming and uneven quality

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom PROM 73 – Last Night of the Proms: Angel Blue (soprano), Sir Stephen Hough (piano), BBC Symphony Chorus and Orchestra, BBC Singers, (Neil Ferris (chorus/choir master) / Sakari Oramo (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London 14.9.2024. (CSa)

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