United Kingdom Mozart: Christian Blackshaw (piano). Wigmore Hall, London, 6.1.2012 (MB)
Mark Berry
John Lubbock’ Delightful ‘Messiah’ Banishes the December Blues
United Kingdom Handel: Messiah: Hannah Davey (soprano), Roderick Morris (counter-tenor), John Pierce (tenor), David Pike (baritone), OSJ Voices (chorus master: Jeremy Jackman), Orchestra of St John’s, John Lubbock (conductor). Hall One, Kings Place, London, 22.12. 2011 (MB)
Pappano’s Meistersinger Compares Unfavourably With Past Productions At Covent Garden
United Kingdom Wagner, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg: Soloists, Royal Opera Chorus, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Antonio Pappano (conductor), Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, 19.12.2011 (MB)
Alistair Dixon and Chapelle du Roi at the ‘Christmas Festival’ at St John’s, Smith Square
United Kingdom Byrd, Fayrfax, Sheppard, Tallis, and Victoria:Chapelle du Roi, Alistair Dixon (director). St John’s, Smith Square, London, 17.12.2011 (MB)
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)
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)
The Choir of St John’sCollege, Cambridge: More Interesting in Purcell Than in Seasonal Music
United States Purcell et al.: Soloists, Choir of St John’s College, Cambridge, St John’s Sinfonia, Andrew Nethsingha (conductor). Cadogan Hall, London, 9.12.2011 (MB)
The Second Liszt Anniversary Recital from Pierre-Laurent Aimard. As Challenging and Rewarding as the First
United Kingdom Liszt, Wagner, Berg, and Scriabin: Pierre-Laurent Aimard (piano). Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, 7.12.2011 (MB)