What’s in Store at Cheltenham Music Festival 2013?
John Quinn
Feast of Extravagantly Scored Music from CBSO
United Kingdom Elgar, Prokofiev, Respighi: Freddy Kempf (piano), City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra / Andrew Litton (conductor). Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 20.2.2013 (JQ)
Birmingham’s French Connection: Magnifique!
United Kingdom Poulenc and Fauré. David Briggs (organ), Grace Davidson (soprano), Greg Skidmore (baritone), Ex Cathedra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Jeffrey Skidmore (conductor). Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 17.2.2013. (JQ)
Simone Young Impresses Again in Birmingham
United Kingdom Mussorgsky, Sibelius, Debussy, Stravinsky: James Ehnes (violin), City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Simone Young (conductor), Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 16.2.2013 (JQ)
Masterly Mahler from Jac van Steen and the CBSO
United Kingdom Schoenberg, Mahler: City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Jac van Steen (conductor). Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 14.11.2012. (JQ)
ENO’s Pilgrim progresses via Death Row
United Kingdom Vaughan Williams, The Pilgrim’s Progress: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of English National Opera / Martyn Brabbins (conductor). London Coliseum, 5.11.2012. (JQ)
Chailly’s Magnificent Rachmaninov in Birmingham
United Kingdom Shostakovich and Rachmaninov. Lynn Harrell (cello) Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, Riccardo Chailly (conductor). Symphony Hall, Birmingham. 25.10.2012 (JQ)
Birmingham Dances to Alec Roth’s Tune
United Kingdom Bach, Roth: Grace Davidson & Amy Wood (sopranos), Matthew Venner (alto), Jeremy Budd (tenor), Greg Skidmore (bass),Ex CathedraChoir & Baroque Orchestra, Jeffrey Skidmore. Birmingham Town Hall, 12. 10, 2012 (JQ)