UK Concerts

All concert reviews from the UK.

Luxury War Requiem starts the new London Philharmonic season as Gardner pulls out all the stops

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Britten, War Requiem: Natalya Romania (soprano), Paul Appleby (tenor), Benjamin Appl (baritone), London Philharmonic Choir (chorus director: Madeleine Venner), London Symphony Chorus (chorus director: Mariana Rosas), Tiffin Boys’ Choir and Girls’ Choir (director: James Day). London Philharmonic Orchestra / Edward Gardner (conductor). Royal Festival Hall, London, 26.9.2026. (JR)

Britten’s War Requiem with the conductor Edward Gardner, LPO, soloists and choirs © Andy Paradise

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Auspicious debut by Anna Handler as Chief Conductor begins the Ulster Orchestra’s 60th anniversary season

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Brahms, Britten, Beethoven: Senan Sheridan (piano), Eleanor Dennis (soprano), Carolyn Dobbin (mezzo-soprano), Kieran Carrel (tenor), Padraic Rowan (bass-baritone), National Youth Choir of Northern Ireland Senior Choir, Belfast Philharmonic Youth Chamber Choir, Belfast Philharmonic Choir, Methodist College Chapel Choir, Royal Belfast Academical Institution Choir Tenors and Basses, Belfast Royal Academy Chamber Choir, Ulster Orchestra / Anna Handler (conductor). Ulster Hall, Belfast, 25.9.2026. (RB)

Ulster Orchestra’s Beethoven Choral Symphony © David Kinghan

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A rewarding new symphony and refreshing pianism at Manchester’s The Bridgewater Hall 30th

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom ‘Opening Night: Built for the Hallé: Celebrating 30 years of The Bridgewater Hall’: Sir Stephen Hough (pianist), The Hallé / Kahchun Wong (conductor). The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, 24.9.2026. (PC)

The Hallé’s 2026/27 Opening Night at Bridgewater Hall © Alex Burns/The Hallé

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BBC SSO’s new Glasgow season lifts off with a terrific Beethoven and mesmerising Zemlinsky

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Beethoven, Zemlinsky: Bomsori Kim (violin), Miah Persson (soprano), James Atkinson (baritone), BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra / Ryan Wigglesworth (conductor). City Halls, Glasgow, 24.9.2026. (GT)

BBC SSO, soloists and conductor following the Lyric Symphony © BBC SSO

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