United Kingdom Shostakovich, Haydn, Bruch, Popper, Gulda, Piazzolla: Alexandra Stychkina (piano), Danielle Akta (cello), Denis Shulgin (violin), Lev Lomdin (violin), Georgy Tsay (violin), Evgeny Stambolsky (violin), Nikita Vlasov (accordion), Moscow Virtuosi Orchestra / Vladimir Spivakov (conductor), Barbican Hall, London, 8.2.2017. (RB)
This Week’s Review
Parisian Élan in Baroque and Classical Guises from the SCO
United Kingdom ‘The Paris Concert’: Scottish Chamber Orchestra / Laurence Cummings (conductor), Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, 9.3.2017. (SRT)
Scartazzini’s Edward II Fails to Hit the Mark Despite a Fine Performance
Germany Scartazzini – Edward II: Soloists, Chorus (chorus master: Raymond Hughes) and Orchestra of the Deutsche Oper, Berlin / Thomas Søndergård (conductor). Deutsche Oper, Berlin, 9.3.2017. (MB)
A Lacklustre Philharmonia Concert Despite Rafael Payare’s Best Efforts
United Kingdom Prokofiev and Rachmaninov: Frank Peter Zimmermann (violin), Philharmonia Orchestra / Rafael Payare (conductor), Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London, 9.3.2017. (AS)
Refined Playing from Budapest Festival Orchestra under Iván Fischer
Switzerland Mendelssohn, Mahler: Gerhild Romberger (alto), Robert Dean Smith (Tenor), Budapest Festival Orchestra / Iván Fischer (conductor), Tonhalle Zurich, 8.3.2017. (JR)
A Superb Recital from Alisa Weilerstein and Inon Barnatan
United Kingdom Beethoven, Barber, Britten: Alisa Weilerstein (cello), Inon Barnatan (piano), Wigmore Hall, London, 7.3.2017. (RB)
Schubert from Lupu and Barenboim Graces Berlin’s New Pierre Boulez Saal
Germany Schubert: Radu Lupu, Daniel Barenboim (piano). Pierre Boulez Saal, Berlin, 8.3.2017. (MB)
Papdopoulos Substitutes for Gergiev Resulting in Performances Musical Yet Uneven
United Kingdom Rossini, Bruch, and Beethoven: Anna-Liisa Bezrodny (violin), Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra / Marios Papdopoulos (conductor), Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford, 6.3.2017. (CR)