UK Concerts

All concert reviews from the UK.

Mahler 8 at the Royal Festival Hall fails to overwhelm because of video and other distractions

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Mahler: Soloists, Tiffin Boys’ Choir (director: James Day), London Philharmonic Choir (artistic director: Neville Creed), London Symphony Chorus (chorus director: Mariana Rosas), London Philharmonic Orchestra / Edward Gardner (conductor), Royal Festival Hall, London, 26.4.2025. (JR)

Edward Gardner conducts Mahler’s Eighth Symphony at the Royal Festival Hall © Mark Allan/LPO

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Suitably dramatic and contemplative St John Passion from the AAM at the Barbican

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Bach, St John Passion: Carolyn Sampson (soprano), Helen Charlston (alto), Nicholas Mulroy (Evangelist, tenor), Dingle Yandell (Jesus, bass), Ed Lyon (arias, tenor), Jonathan Brown (Pilate, bass), Academy of Ancient Music / Laurence Cummings (director and harpsichord). Barbican Hall, London, 18.4.2025. (JR)

Laurence Cummings directs the Academy of Ancient Music © Mark Allan/AAM

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Les Arts Florissants’s perfect selection of Charpentier’s works, beautifully performed

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Marc-Antoine Charpentier, Leçons de Ténébres: Les Arts Florissants / William Christie (director/organ) with Ilja Aksionov (tenor) and Padraic Rowan (bass-baritone). Wigmore Hall, London, 16.4.2025. (CC)

Les Arts Florissants at the Wigmore Hall (front l-r, William Christie, Padraic Rowan and Ilja Aksionov) © Sisi Burn

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