United Kingdom Schnittke, Shostakovich: Timothy Ridout (viola), BBC Symphony Orchestra / Hannu Lintu (conductor). Barbican Hall, London, 24.10.2025. (AV-E)
BBC SO’s shivering Schnittke, shattering Shostakovich
UK Concerts
All concert reviews from the UK.
A compelling night of music-making from Karina Canellakis and the LPO
United Kingdom L. Boulanger, Stravinsky: Véronique Gens (soprano), Andrew Staples (tenor), Jean-Sébastien Bou (baritone), London Philharmonic Orchestra / Karina Canellakis (conductor). Royal Festival Hall, London, 22.10.2025. (KMcD)
An intriguing, virtuoso Belfast celebration of the Boulez centenary
United Kingdom Boulez: Anthems and Dialogues: Hard Rain SoloistEnsemble (Aisling Agnew [flute], Sarah Watts [clarinet], Darragh Morgan [violin], David McCann [cello], Daniel Browell [piano]), Xenia Pestova Bennett (magnetic resonator piano), Peter O’Doherty (electronics). Sonic Lab, Queens University, Belfast, 19.10.2025. (RB)
Deeply satisfying Wigmore Hall Mozart string quintets from the Takács Quartet and Timothy Ridout
United Kingdom Mozart: Takács Quartet (Edward Dusinberre, Harumi Rhodes [violins], Richard O’Neill [viola], András Fejér [cello], Timothy Ridout [viola]). Wigmore Hall, London, 20.10.2025. (MB)
Shostakovich proudly celebrated by the NSOI in Dublin
Ireland Anna Clyne, Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich: Mairéad Hickey (violin), National Symphony Orchestra Ireland / Anna Rakitina (conductor). National Concert Hall, Dublin, 17.10.2025. (RB)
The Mayflower Ensemble: lunchtime bliss in Winchester Cathedral
United Kingdom Gipps, Coleridge-Taylor: Mayflower Ensemble (Liz Peller, Catherine Lawlor [violins], Ruth McGibbon [viola], Nicola Heinrich [cello], Alison Hughes [clarinet]). Winchester Cathedral, 14.10.2025. (CK)
Powerful and sensitive Shostakovich from Llŷr Williams in Cardiff
United Kingdom Shostakovich, Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87, Nos.1-13: Llŷr Williams (piano). Dora Stoutzker Hall, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff, 16.10.2025. (GPu)
Delicacy and decibels: a fine Leningrad Symphony from Vasily Petrenko and the RLPO
United Kingdom Liadov, Shostakovich: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra / Vasily Petrenko (conductor). Bristol Beacon, 16.10.2025. (CK)
