United Kingdom Brahms: Ann Murray (mezzo-soprano), Hanno Müller-Brachmann (bass-baritone), Malcolm Martineau (piano). Wigmore Hall, London, 13.1.2014 (MB)
Mark Berry
Richard Egarr Fails to Do Justice to Haydn
United Kingdom Haydn, The Creation: Marlis Petersen (soprano), Sally Dodds (mezzo-soprano), Jeremy Ovenden (tenor), Gerald Finley (bass-baritone), London Symphony Chorus (chorus master: Simon Halsey), London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Egarr (conductor). Barbican Hall, London, 12.1.2014 (MB)
Shostakovich Songs Pale Beside Mahler’s
United Kingdom Mahler and Shostakovich: Matthias Goerne (baritone), Leif Ove Andsnes (piano). Wigmore Hall, London, 7.1.2014 (MB)
Mass in B Minor Wraps Up “Bach Unwrapped”
United Kingdom Bach: Malin Christensson (soprano), Jennifer Johnston (mezzo-soprano), William Towers (counter-tenor), Joshua Ellicott (tenor), Benedict Nelson (baritone), Choir of Clare College, Cambridge (director of music: Graham Ross), Aurora Orchestra, Nicholas Collon (conductor). Hall One, Kings Place, London, 21.12.2013 (MB)
An Excellent Recital from Simon Keenlyside and Malcolm Martineau
United Kingdom Schoenberg, Eisler, Britten, Wolf, Schubert, Brahms: Simon Keenlyside (baritone), Malcolm Martineau (piano). Barbican Hall, London, 18.12.2013 (MB)
András Schiff Disappoints in Bach’s English Suites
United Kingdom Bach: András Schiff (piano). Wigmore Hall, London, 14.12.2013 (MB)
Peter Wright’s Venerable Nutcracker as Lively as Ever
United Kingdom Tchaikovsky, The Nutcracker: Royal Ballet, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House / Tom Seligman (conductor), viewed at Vue Piccadilly Cinema, London, 12.12.2013. (MB)
A Distinguished Recital from a Distinguished Partnership: Michael Volle and Helmut Deutsch
United Kingdom Schubert, Mahler, Schumann, Clara Schumann, and Strauss: Michael Volle (baritone), Helmut Deutsch (piano). Wigmore Hall, London, 13.12.2013 (MB)