United Kingdom Mahler: Oxford Millennium Orchestra / Joe Davies (conductor). Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford, 7.3.2025. (CK)
Chris Kettle
An epic Shostakovich Marathon in Southampton, in aid of Cancer Research
United Kingdom Shostakovich: Jinah Shim, Keelan Carew, Paul Ingram (piano), Mark Cox (trumpet), Austin Lam (cello), Orchestra / Craig Lawton and Paul Ingram (conductors). Turner Sims Concert Hall, Southampton, 2.3.2025. (CK)
Sir Stephen Hough’s sparkling Piano Concerto sits comfortably between the BSO’s Brahms and Elgar
United Kingdom Brahms, Hough, Elgar: Sir Stephen Hough (piano), Walter van Dyk (speaker), Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra / Mark Wigglesworth (conductor). Lighthouse, Poole, 27.2.2025. (CK)
Stirring Nordic brew from Gergely Madaras and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra in Poole
United Kingdom Vasks, Grieg, Sibelius: Louis Schwizgebel (piano), Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra / Gergely Madaras (conductor). Lighthouse, Poole, 19.2.2025. (CK)
Autumnal Walton and rejuvenating Mahler from Pappano and the LSO at Bristol Beacon
United Kingdom Walton, Mahler: Rebecca Gilliver (cello), London Symphony Orchestra / Sir Antonio Pappano (conductor). Bristol Beacon, 13.2.2025. (CK)
A compelling and memorable Winterreise in Salisbury from Sam Poppleton and Harry Sever
United Kingdom Schubert: Sam Poppleton (baritone), Harry Sever (piano). St. Martin’s Church, Salisbury, 8.2.2025. (CK)
Challenging music projected with complete conviction by the Jarualda Quartet in Shrewsbury
United Kingdom Beethoven, Britten, Ravel: Jarualda Quartet (Alex Postlethwaite, David Joyce [violin], Jane Park [viola], Ruth Henley [cello]). Gateway Arts Centre, Shrewsbury, 6.2.2025. (CK)
The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra pulls off an interesting musical mix in Poole
United Kingdom Shostakovich, Mozart, Stravinsky: Elisabeth Brauss (piano), Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra / Mihhail Gerts (conductor). Lighthouse, Poole, 29.1.2025. (CK)
