United Kingdom Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov: Asmik Grigorian (soprano) and Lukas Geniušas (piano). Wigmore Hall, London, 9.9.2023. (CC)
This was Asmik Grigorian’s Wigmore Hall debut, and what a fine one it was
Colin Clarke
Lawrence Brownlee’s fabulous recital launches Opera Rara’s Donizetti Song Project
United Kingdom Donizetti & Friends: Lawrence Brownlee (tenor) and Carlo Rizzi (piano). Wigmore Hall, London, 9.9.2023. (CC)
Pichon and Pygmalion’s theatrical, yet deeply spiritual approach to Mozart’s Requiem
United Kingdom Prom 69 – Mozart/Süssmayr, Requiem: Malakai Bayoh (treble), Sandrine Piau (soprano), Beth Taylor (mezzo-soprano), Laurence Kilsby (tenor), Alex Rosen (bass), Pygmalion / Raphaël Pichon (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London, 7.9.2023. (CC)
Kahchun Wong conducts the Dresdner Philharmonie in a fine symphonic concert season opener
Germany Prangcharoen, Elgar, R. Strauss: Gautier Capuçon (cello), Dresdner Philharmonie / Kahchun Wong (conductor). Kulturpalast, Dresden, 2.9.2023. (CC)
A remarkable Gstaad concert from Gil Shaham and Lahav Shani’s Israel Philharmonic
Switzerland Gstaad Menuhin Festival 2023 [2] – Demut und Überschwang: Gil Shaham (violin), Israel Philharmonic Orchestra / Lahav Shani (conductor). Gstaad Festival Tent, 26.8.2023. (CC)
Illia Ovcharenko proves a name to watch at Gstaad
Switzerland Gstaad Menuhin Festival [1] – Bach/Busoni, Chopin, R. Schumann, Matinée des Jeunes Étoiles VII: Illia Ovcharenko (piano). Gstaad Chapel, Gstaad, Switzerland, 28.8.2023. (CC)
Handel’s Samson at the Proms attained a level of musical excellence available to very few performances
United Kingdom Prom 50 – Handel, Samson, HWV 57 (1741-2, heard in the revised 1743 version): Allan Clayton (Samson), Jacquelyn Stucker (Dalila), Joélle Harvey (Israelite Woman), Jess Dandy (Micah), Brindley Sherratt (Harapha), Jonathan Lemalu (Manoa), Will Pate (Messenger), Philharmonia Chorus / Laurence Cummings (harpsichord / director). Royal Albert Hall, London, 23.8.2023. (CC)
Ligeti’s Violin Concerto and Mozart’s ’Jupiter’ were the finest moments of a unique BBC Prom
United Kingdom Prom 47 – Les Siècles plays Ligeti and Mozart: Isabelle Faust (violin), Alexander Melnikov (fortepiano), Les Siècles / François-Xavier Roth (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London, 20.8.2023. (CC)
