United Kingdom Schoenberg, Schubert: Janine Jansen (violin), Boris Brovtsyn (violin), Amihai Grosz (viola), Maxim Rysanov (viola), Torleif Thedéen (cello), Jens Peter Maintz (cello), Wigmore Hall, London, 16.5.2012 (Gdn)
Gavin Dixon
Outstanding Bartok Performances from Peter Eotvos and LSO
United Kingdom Bartok, Szymanowski: Nikolai Znaider (violin), Steve Davislim (tenor), London Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Chorus, Peter Eotvos (conductor), Barbican Hall, London 8.5.2012 (GD).
Gergiev and the LSO: Superb in Stravinsky
United Kingdom Stravinsky: Leonidas Kavakos (violin), London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Valery Gergiev (conductor), Barbican Hall, London, 11.5.2012 (Gdn)
Alexander Melnikov and the Jerusalem Quartet: A Fine Partnership in Schumann
United Kingdom Schumann: Jerusalem Quartet, Alexander Melnikov (piano), Wigmore Hall, London, 9.5. 2012 (GDn)
Jurowski and London Philharmonic in an Intriguing Czech Programme
United Kingdom Janacek, Dvorak and Suk: Martin Helmchen (piano), London Philharmonic Orchestra, Vladimir Jurowski (conductor), Royal Festival Hall, London, 2.5.2012 (GDn)
Verdi’s Requiem from Gergiev and the Mariinsky Opera: A Messy Clash of Styles
United Kingdom Verdi, Requiem: Victoria Yastrebova (soprano), Olga Borodina (mezzo-sorano), Sergey Semishkur (tenor), Ildar Abdrazkov (bass), Mariinsky Opera Orchestra and Chorus, Valery Gergiev (conductor), Barbican, London 4.4.2012 (Gdn)
Stoical Reserve in Tippett’s A Child of our Time
United Kingdom Tippett, Hugh Wood: Anthony Marwood(violin), Nicole Cabell (soprano) , Karen Cargill (mezzo), John Mark Ainsley (tenor), Matthew Rose( bass) , BBC Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, Sir Andrew Davis (conductor), Barbican Hall, London, 23.3.12 (GDn)
Brett Dean:Total Immersion in the Ever-Unpredictable Composer
United Kingdom Brett Dean, Total Immersion: BBC Symphony Orchestra, Guildhall Chamber Ensemble, Renaud Capuçon (violin), Brett Dean (conductor, viola), David Robertson (conductor), Barbican, London, 18.3.2012 (GDn)