Colin Clarke

Tchaikovsky and Holst prove a fine start to the Strasbourg Philharmonic’s season

by

FranceFrance Tchaikovsky, Holst: Behzod Abduraimov (piano), Maîtrise de l’Opéra du Rhin, Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra / Aziz Shokhakimov (conductor). Salle Erasme, Palais des Congrès, Strasbourg, 5.9.2024. (CC)

Aziz Shokhakimov conducts pianist Behzod Abduraimov and the Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra

Read more

Utterly remarkable Bruckner at the Proms from the BBC Singers and the Berlin Philharmonic

by

United KingdomUnited Kingdom PROM 56 – Bruckner: BBC Singers (conductor: Owain Park); Berliner Philharmoniker / Kirill Peternko (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London, 1.9.2024. (CC)

Owain Park conducts the BBC Singers at the BBC Proms © BBC/Chris Christodoulou

Read more

For all the power of Rihab Chaieb’s (anti-)hero, this was a mixed Glyndebourne Carmen at the Proms

by

United KingdomUnited Kingdom PROM 52 – Bizet, Carmen from Glyndebourne: Soloists, Glyndebourne Festival Chorus, London Philharmonic Orchestra / Anja Bihlmaier (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London, 29.8.2024. (CC)

Bizet’s Carmen from Glyndebourne at the BBC Proms © BBC/Andy Paradise

Read more

Zou Ye’s new symphony proves a major achievement in its London European premiere

by

United KingdomUnited Kingdom Zou Ye, Symphony Kūkai (2023): Charles Mutter (leader/solo violin), Rebecca Hepplewhite (solo cello), The Choir of Central Conservatory of Music, London Chinese Philharmonic Choir, Scherzo Ensemble, Orpheus Sinfonia / Derrick Morgan (conductor). Central Hall Westminster, London, 17.8.2024. (CC)

Derrick Morgan conducts Zou Ye’s Symphony Kūkai © Tianguzhiyin Culture Media Co. Ltd.

Read more

For this Oramo/BBC SO Prom, it is only the Saariaho and Mozart that bring a smile

by

United KingdomUnited Kingdom PROM 27 – Saariaho, Mozart, R. Strauss: Silja Aalto (soprano), Anssi Karttunen (cello), Seong-Jin Cho (piano), BBC Symphony Orchestra / Sakari Oramo (conductor), Chris Hopkins (offstage conductor, Alpine Symphony). Royal Albert Hall, London, 9.8.2024. (CC)

Pianist Seong-Jin Cho performs Mozart’s Piano Concerto No.9 in E-flat major ‘Jeunehomme’ © BBC/Mark Allan

Read more

Consolation and utter serenity from Ton Koopman’s magnificent performance of the St John Passion

by

FranceFrance Itinéraire Baroque en Périgord, 2024 [5] – Bach, Johannes-Passion, BWV 245 (1724): Amelia Berridge (soprano), Sophia Faltas (mezzo-soprano), Tilman Lichdi (tenor), Klaus Mertens (bass), Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir / Ton Koopman (conductor / harpsichord). Église de Saint-Astier, Dordogne, France. 4.8.2024. (CC)

Klaus Mertens (bass) and Ton Koopman (harpsichord) © Jean-Michel Bale

Read more