United Kingdom Mozart, Schoenberg, Brahms: Elisabeth Leonskaja (piano). Wigmore Hall, 4.1.2022. (CC)
Elisabeth Leonskaja at Wigmore Hall proves a fine way to begin concertgoing in 2022
London
The Wihan Quartet banish January blues at Wigmore Hall
United Kingdom Wolf, Ravel, Dvořák: Wihan Quartet (Leoš Čepický & Jan Schulmeister [violins], Jakub Čepický [viola], Michal Kaňka [cello]). Wigmore Hall, London, 3.1.2022. (CS)
Wayne McGregor’s The Dante Project proves to be Edward Watson’s thought-provoking, poignant farewell
United Kingdom The Royal Ballet’s The Dante Project: Dancers of The Royal Ballet, London Symphony Chorus (choral director: Simon Halsey), Orchestra of The Royal Opera House / Koen Kessels (conductor). Recorded (directed by Ross MacGibbon) when performed at the Opera House, Covent Garden, London, on 26.10.2021 and streamed from 20.12.2021. (JPr)
VOCES8’s Messiah LIVE from London offered a beacon of hope in frustratingly uncertain times
United Kingdom LIVE from London Christmas 2021 – Handel’s Messiah, HWV 56: Mary Bevan (soprano), Bethany Horak-Hallett (mezzo-soprano); Nicholas Mulroy (tenor), Dingle Yandell (bass), The VOCES8 Foundation Choir, VOCES8, VOCES8 Baroque Orchestra / Barnaby Smith (conductor). Recorded at St Jude-on-the-Hill, London, streamed on 18.12.2021. (CC)
Maria Kotchetkova sparkles in ENB’s Nutcracker as it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas again
United Kingdom English National Ballet’s Nutcracker: Dancers of English National Ballet, Students from Tring Park School, English National Ballet Philharmonic / Timothy Henty (conductor). London Coliseum, London, 21.12.2021. (JPr)
Beautiful, uplifting concert with Hymns to the Virgin from the Tallis Scholars
United Kingdom Various, Hymns to the Virgin: Tallis Scholars / Peter Phillips (conductor). St John’s Smith Square, London, 21.12.2021. (CC)
Un opera in maschera: vocally, chorally and orchestrally this Covent Garden Nabucco is a triumph
United Kingdom Verdi, Nabucco: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden / Daniel Oren (conductor). Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, 20.12.2021. (CC)
David Watkin leads an unassuming but enjoyable account of Messiah
United Kingdom Handel, Messiah: Harriet Eyley (soprano), Jess Dandy (contralto), Stuart Jackson (tenor), James Newby (baritone), Choir of Jesus College, Cambridge (director, organ: Richard Pinel), Britten Sinfonia / David Watkin (conductor). Barbican Hall, London, 16.12.2021. (MB)
