United Kingdom Joseph Davies, Saint-Saëns, Geraint Lewis, Fauré: Louis Lortie (piano), Fflur Wyn (soprano), Neal Davies (baritone), BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales / Siân Edwards: (conductor), Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, 8.10.2016. (NR)
Swansea
Festival Takes Flight with Outstanding Performance by the Brodsky
United Kingdom Borodin, Shostakovich, J.S. Bach, Mendelssohn, Beethoven: The Brodsky Quartet (Daniel Rowland, Ian Belton, violins; Paul Cassidy, viola; Jacqueline Thomas, cello), The George Hall, The Guildhall, Swansea, 4.10.2016. (GPu)
Mismatch of Performers and Venue Robs Interesting Concert of a Little of its Gloss
United Kingdom Vivaldi, Caldara, Torelli: Adrian Chandler (violin), Peter Whelan (bassoon), La Serenissima. Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, 1.10.2016. (GPu)
Ryan Quigley and his Quintet Celebrate New Release in Inventive and Exhilarating Fashion
United Kingdom Ryan Quigley Quintet [Ryan Quigley (trumpet), Paul Booth (tenor sax), Geoff Keezer (keyboard), Michael Janisch (double bass), Clarence Penn (drums)]: Swansea Jazzland, Swansea. 7.9.2016. (GPu)
Crisp and Lively Singing of The Creation with Revised Libretto in Swansea
United Kingdom Haydn: Elin Manahan Thomas (soprano), Graham Neal (tenor), Giles Underwood, (bass), Swansea Bach Choir, Musica Poetica London / Greg Hallam (conductor), St Mary’s Church, Swansea, 19.3.2016. (NR)
Commanding and Exhilarating Performance from Llyr Williams
United Kingdom Swansea International Festival – Weber, Beethoven, Brahms: Llyr Williams (piano), BBC National Orchestra of Wales / Jac van Steen (conductor), Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, 14.10.2015.
Distinctive and Diverse Soundworld from Calefax Reed Quintet
United Kingdom Bendusi, Bowman, Ravel, Grieg, Rameau: Calefax Reed Quintet [Oliver Boekhorn – oboe, oboe d’amore, cor anglais; Ivor Berix – clarinet, E-flat clarimet; Alban Wesly – bassoon; Raaf Hekkema – alto saxophone, soprano saxophone; Jette Althuis – bass clarinet, basset horn], National Waterfront Museum, Swansea, 15.10.2015.(GPu).
Lightness and Optimism in Carroll’s Playing of Elgar Cello Concerto
United Kingdom Swansea Festival 2015 – Wagner, Elgar, Beethoven: Thomas Carroll (cello), Dresden Philharmonic / Michael Sanderling (conductor), Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, 17.10.2015. (NR)