United Kingdom Traditional and troubadour songs etc.: Idrīsî Ensemble / Thomas Fournil (director). Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, 6.2.2026. (MB)
The Idrīsî Ensemble offer a wonderful introduction to the world of the medieval trobairitz
London
Music from Central Europe: a second round of revelatory performances from Edward Gardner and the LPO
United Kingdom Kaprálová, Szymanowski, Bartók: Juliana Grigoryan (soprano), Agnieszka Rehlis (mezzo-soprano), Kostas Smoriginas (bass), London Philharmonic Choir (chorus director: Madeleine Venner), London Philharmonic Orchestra / Edward Gardner (conductor). Royal Festival Hall, London, 7.2.2026. (CK)
Fabulous Barbican coupling of Lindberg and Stravinsky from Oramo and the BBC SO
United Kingdom Lindberg, Stravinsky: Lisa Batiashvili (violin), Amira Casar (narrator), Peter Tantsits (tenor), Boys from the Schola Cantorum of the Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School, Girls from the Chamber Choir of The Grey Coat Hospital School, BBC Symphony Chorus and Orchestra / Sakari Oramo (conductor). Barbican Hall, London, 6.2.2026. (CC)
Thrilling evening of Polish and Czech music from Edward Gardner and the LPO
United Kingdom Bacewicz, Martinů, Lutoslawski, Janáček: Josef Špaček (violin), London Philharmonic Orchestra / Edward Gardner (conductor). Royal Festival Hall, London, 4.2.2026. (CK)
DecaDance: Jamiel Devernay-Laurence’s further impressive programme of dance
United Kingdom Ballet Nights 010: DecaDance: Jamiel Devernay-Laurence (compère). Cadogan Hall, London, 4.2.2026. (JO’D)
ARC Ensemble’s life-affirming exploration of the compositions of Holocaust survivors
United Kingdom Music in Exile: ARC Ensemble (of Toronto), Michael Hass (guest lecturer). Wigmore Hall, London, 1.2.2026. (AK)
Shattering Shostakovich from Vasily Petrenko and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
United Kingdom Ustvolskaya, Beethoven, Shostakovich: Yuriy Yurchuk (baritone), Benjamin Grosvenor (piano) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / Vasily Petrenko (conductor), Royal Festival Hall, London, 3.2.2026. (JR)
David Temple’s faultless direction made Elgar’s The Kingdom more than the sum of its parts
United Kingdom Elgar, The Kingdom, Op.51 (1906): Francesca Chiejina (soprano), Dame Sarah Connolly (contralto), Benjamin Hulett (tenor), Ashley Riches (bass-baritone), Crouch End Festival Chorus, Hertfordshire Chorus, London Orchestra da Camera / David Temple (conductor). Royal Festival Hall, London, 29.1.2026. (CC)
