United Kingdom Byrd, Fayrfax, Sheppard, Tallis, and Victoria:Chapelle du Roi, Alistair Dixon (director). St John’s, Smith Square, London, 17.12.2011 (MB)
UK Concerts
All concert reviews from the UK.
The Emperor’s New Clothes: Colin Davis’ Nielsen-Beethoven Cycle
United Kingdom Haydn, Nielsen, Beethoven: Mitsuko Uchida (piano), London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Colin Davis (conductor) with Lucy Hall (soprano) and Marcus Farnsworth (baritone), Barbican Hall, London, 11.12.2011 (CC)
Quatuor Ebène Rocks Wigmore Hall
United Kingdom Prokofiev, Debussy, Brahms :Quatuor Ébène: Pierre Colombet, Gabriel Le Magadure (violins), Mathieu Herzog (viola), Raphaël Merlin (violoncello), Wigmore Hall, London, 12.12.2011 (MB)
Two Views of Belshazzar’s Feast
United Kingdom Britten, Sibelius, and Walton: Gerald Finley (baritone), BBC Symphony Chorus, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Edward Gardner (conductor), Barbican Hall, London, 10.12.2011 (CG)
Celebratory Brilliance and Gentle Introspection in Bach’s Christmas Oratorio
United Kingdom Bach:Christmas Oratorio (parts 1, 3, 5 & 6: Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Chorus, Richard Egarr (conductor/harpsichord), Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, 1.12.2011 (SRT)
Entrancing Christmas Berlioz in Cardiff
United Kingdom Berlioz, L’enfance du Christ: Anna Stephany (mezzo), Barry Banks (tenor), Mathew Brook (bass-baritone), Henry Waddington (bass), BBC National Chorus of Wales, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama Chamber Choir, BBC National Orchestra of Wales / Thierry Fischer (conductor), St. David’s Hall, Cardiff, 9.12.11 (GPu)
Vladimir Ashkenazy Conducts the Philharmonia – With Mixed Results
United Kingdom Dukas, Ravel, Falla, and Debussy: Jean-Efflam Bavouzet (piano), Philharmonia Orchestra, Vladimir Ashkenazy (conductor). Royal Festival Hall, London, 11.12.2011 (MB)
Heartwarming Performance on a Stormy Evening from Lancashire Sinfonietta
United Kingdom Vivaldi, Handel, J. S. Bach, Debussy, Vaughan Williams, Mendelssohn: Sarah Whewell (flute), Eleanor Hudson (harp), Lancashire Sinfonietta/Andrew Watkinson (violin), Christmas Candlelight Concerto series, United Reformed Church, St. Annes-on-Sea, Lancashire, 08.12.2011 (MC)