United Kingdom Mahler, Sibelius, Beethoven: Janine Jansen (violin), Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Thomas Søndergård (conductor), Usher Hall, 21.10.2016. (SRT)
UK Concerts
All concert reviews from the UK.
Krivine Opens Audiences Ears to Berlioz’ Originality in L’Enfance du Christ
United Kingdom Berlioz, L’Enfance du Christ: Soloists, SCO Chorus, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Emmanuel Krivine (conductor), Usher Hall, Edinburgh, 20.10.2016 (SRT)
Enterprising Concert Features Welsh Composers Old and New
United Kingdom Welsh Foundations 1 – Jones, Hoddinott, Hardy, Mathias: Alec Frank-Gemmill (horn), BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Grant Llewellyn (conductor). Hoddinott Hall, Cardiff, 18.10.2016. (PCG)
Young British musicians take inspiration from the Ellington-Strayhorn Songbook
United Kingdom Ellington, Strayhorn: Cleveland Watkiss (voice), Tom Harrison (alto sax), Ashley Henry (piano), Daniel Casimir (double bass), David Lyttle (drums), Dora Stoutzker Hall, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff, 14.10.2016. (GPu)
BBC NOW Opens Season with Meticulous but Electrifying Firebird Performance
United Kingdom Stravinsky, Debussy, Ravel, Ibert: Sarah Connolly (mezzo-soprano), Emily Beynon (flute), BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Thomas Søndergård (conductor), St David’s Hall, Cardiff, 13.10.2016. (PCG)
Second Day of 11th Malcolm Arnold Festival Features Forgotten Documentaries
Second Day of 11th Malcolm Arnold Festival
11th Malcolm Arnold Festival Displays Composer’s Musical Breadth
11th Malcolm Arnold Festival
Introduction
2016 sees the tenth year of the Festival since Arnold’s death and the 95th since his birth. Director Paul Harris, typically charming and resolute, says of this year’s theme: “We’ve called it ‘The Voice of the People’ … [which] sums up Sir Malcolm’s intentions as a composer. He was always determined to write music that could be immediately appreciated and although he embraced many 20th century “isms”, his music remains utterly accessible.”
Northampton’s Malcolm Arnold Festival still has a strong and even hectic pulse; this after ten years, with concerts, recitals, talks and illustrated lectures piling in one after another. It comes to about a dozen events over two days. New and usually good experiences and plenty to learn.
USA, Britain and Finland find themselves neighbours in Salford
United Kingdom Kay, Coleridge-Taylor, Sibelius: BBC Philharmonic, John Storgårds (conductor), BBC Philharmonic Studio, MediaCityUK, Salford Quays, 18.10.2016. (RB)