United Kingdom Franck, Saint-Saëns, Rachmaninov: Cédric Tiberghien (piano); City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra / Karina Canellakis (conductor), Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 17.5.2017. (JQ)
Spectacular Rachmaninov from Karina Canellakis and the CBSO
John Quinn
Birmingham and Beyond: Ex Cathedra in 2017/18
Ex Cathedra Unveils an Exciting Season of Choral Music in Birmingham and Beyond
The Birmingham-based Ex Cathedra is a leading UK choir and Early Music ensemble. It is a unique musical resource, comprising a specialist chamber choir, vocal Consort, period-instrument orchestra and a thriving education programme. Ex Cathedra was founded in 1969 by Jeffrey Skidmore OBE so the ensemble is fast approaching its 50th anniversary. Details of their 2017/18 season have just been announced.
An Excellent CBSO Concert Despite a Late Change of Conductor
United Kingdom R Strauss, Copland, Rachmaninov: Oliver Janes (clarinet); City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra / Andrew Gourlay, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 6.4.2017. (JQ)
In 2017 The Three Choirs Festival is from 22 to 29 July
The Three Choirs Festival 2017: A Preview
The Three Choirs Festival, which was first held in 1715 is probably the oldest music festival in the world; is there another festival that has been in existence for over 300 years? The Festival is held in turn in one of the three cathedral cities of Gloucester, Hereford and Worcester. This year, by rotation, the Festival, which takes place between 22 and 29 July, will be hosted by the city of Worcester, The Director of Music at Worcester Cathedral, Peter Nardone, is Artistic Director of the Festival and he’s devised a wide-ranging programme of events. All the performances mentioned in this preview will take place in Worcester Cathedral unless otherwise stated.
Daniel Barenboim’s Memorable Elgar Closes Musikfest Berlin 2016
Germany Musikfest Berlin 2016 [9] – Elgar: Andrew Staples (tenor), Catherine Wyn-Rogers (mezzo-soprano), Thomas Hampson (baritone), Staatsopernchor, RIAS Kammerchor, Konzertchor und Jugendchor der Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Staatskapelle Berlin/Daniel Barenboim (conductor), Philharmonie, Berlin, 19.9.2016. (JQ)
Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla Opens an Exciting New Era for the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
United Kingdom Mozart, Abrahamsen, Tchaikovsky: Barbara Hannigan (soprano); City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra/ Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla (conductor). Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 26.8.2016 (JQ)
With Mahler’s ‘Symphony of a Thousand’ the 2016 Three Choirs Festival Ends Magnificently
United Kingdom Three Choirs Festival (15) – Mahler: Hye-Youn Lee (soprano – Magna Peccatrix); Mary Plazas (soprano – Una poenitentium); Jennifer France (soprano – Mater gloriosa); Catherine Wyn-Rogers (mezzo-soprano – Mulier Samaritana); Madeleine Shaw (mezzo-soprano – Mater Aegyptica); Peter Auty (tenor – Doctor Marianus); Gary Griffiths (bass – Pater ecstaticus); Stephan Loges (bass – Pater Profundus); Jonathan Hope (organ); Three Choirs Festival Youth Choir; Three Cathedral Choirs; Three Choirs Festival Chorus; Philharmonia Orchestra / Adrian Partington (conductor). Gloucester Cathedral, 30.7. 2016. (JQ)
A Vital Performance of Carmina Burana at the Three Choirs Festival
United Kingdom Three Choirs Festival (13) – Phibbs, Elgar. Walton, Orff: Ilona Domnich (soprano), Russell Painter (tenor), David Stout (baritone), Gloucester Cathedral Junior Choir/Nia Llewellyn Jones (conductor); Three Choirs Festival Chorus; Philharmonia Orchestra/Adrian Partington (conductor). Gloucester Cathedral, 30.7. 2016. (JQ)