United Kingdom Schubert Ensemble Commissions – Watkins, Cutler, Rushton, Bach-Woolrich, Novák, Knotts, Matthews, and Butler:The Schubert Ensemble (Simon Blendis (violin), Douglas Paterson (viola), Jane Salmon (cello), Peter Buckoke (double bass), William Howard (piano). Hall One, Kings Place, London, 9.3.2013 (MB)
Mark Berry
Traditional and Visually Dormant Tosca
United Kingdom Puccini, Tosca: Soloists, Royal Opera Chorus and Extra Chorus (chorus master: Renato Balsadonna), Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Maurizio Benini (conductor). Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, 4.3.2013 (MB)
Oelze and Aimard: Not a Flawless Experience But a Memorable One
United Kingdom Schumann, Debussy, and Messiaen: Christiane Oelze (soprano), Pierre-Laurent Aimard (piano). Wigmore Hall, London, 1.3.2013 (MB)
Nelsons in Beethoven: Work in Progress?
United Kingdom Strauss and Beethoven:Angela Denoke (soprano), Philharmonia Orchestra, Andris Nelsons (conductor). Royal Festival Hall, London, 28.2.2013 (MB)
King’s Place Starts to Unwrap Bach
United Kingdom Bach: Carolyn Sampson (soprano), Stephanie Gonley, Martin Burgess (violins), Michael Cox (flute), Steven Devine (harpsichord), Academy of St Martin in the Fields. Hall One, Kings Place, London, 22.2.2013 (MB)
Richly Rewarding Fare from the Takács Quartet
United Kingdom Brahms and Haydn: Takács Quartet (Edward Dusinberre, Károly Schranz (violins), Geraldine Walther (viola), András Fejér (cello)), Lawrence Power (viola). Wigmore Hall, London, 20.2.2013 (MB)
Mastery from the Jerusalem Quartet
United Kingdom Wolf, Mozart, Smetana:Jerusalem Quartet (Alexander Pavlovsky, Sergei Bressler (violins), Ori Kam (viola), Kyril Zlotnikov (cello)). Wigmore Hall, London, 16.2.2013 (MB)
Copley’s Boheme Continues to Satisfy 40 Years On
United Kingdom Puccini, La bohème: Soloists, Royal Opera Chorus (chorus master: Renato Balsadonna), Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Alexander Joel (conductor), Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, 16.2.2013 (MB)