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Reviews
Handel Messiah, Ex Cathedra Choir & Baroque Orchestra, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 03 December 2023. 5*****: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“An exceptionally fine reading of this perennial favourite.”
Symphony Orchestra of India, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 01 December, 2023. 4****: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“A diverse programme including an interesting experiment in East-West fusion.”
Manchester Collective, Lakeside, Nottingham, 30 November 2023. 4****: William Ruff.
“Manchester Collective in a typically innovative and inspiring programme.”
Constella Music 10th Anniversary Concert. Lilian Baylis Studio, Sadler’s Wells, Roseberry Avenue, London EC1E. 4****: William Russell.
“A moving Holocaust story and a fascinating account about the decade long existence of Constella Music as it is now to be known.”
Photo Credit: Constella (image of Geyer)
Ariel Lanyi (piano), Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 26 November 2023. 4****: William Ruff.
“Ariel Lanyi: piano playing of probing intelligence.”
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 25 November 2023. 5*****: William Ruff.
“The RLPO on top form in repertoire both serious and spectacular.”
Boris Giltburg plays Rachmaninov, Town Hall, Birmingham 23 November, 2023. 5*****: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“A towering achievement that brings Rachmaninov’s preludes to vivid life.”
Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 22 November, 2023. 5*****: David Gray & Paul Gray.
‘Powerful and complete readings of two romantic masterpieces .’
Photo: Courtesy of CBSO, Photograph of Francesca Dego.
Bach and Schumann, CBSO, Symphony Hall. Birmingham. 4****: David Gray & Paul Gray.
‘A stunning performance of a Schumann symphony, but some tensions between an early music approach by a modern orchestra in their performance of Bach.’
Scottish Symphony, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 08 November, 2023. 4****: David Gray & Paul Gray.
‘Upstairs downstairs, brooding fjords and highland flings; a multifaceted afternoon in the concert hall.’
Photo: Courtesy of CBSO.
Trio Gaspard. Lakeside, Nottingham, 09 November, 2023. 4****: William Ruff.
‘Trio Gaspard: 18th century elegance and 19th century intensity.’
National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 04 November, 2023. 4****: William Ruff.
‘The Ukrainian national orchestra in music which defies the odds.’
Jayson Gillham, Piano, Lakeside, Nottingham, 02 November, 2023. 5*****: William Ruff.
‘Jaw-dropping pianism from Jayson Gillham.’
Brahms 3, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, CBSO, 01 November, 2023. 5***** David Gray & Paul Gray.
‘Intelligent programming results in an evening full of interest and variety.’
Photo Credit: Annette Koroll FOTOS
Sinfonia Viva, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 29 October, 2023. 4****: William Ruff
‘Sinfonia Viva in warm, perceptive performances of favourite pieces for string orchestra.’
Petr Limonov (piano), Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 29 October, 2023. 4****: William Ruff
‘Pianist Petr Limonov impresses across a wide range of musical styles.’
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 27 October, 2023. 5*****: William Ruff
‘A concert of glorious tunes, virtuoso fireworks and unbridled emotion.’
BBC Prom 49: Robert Schumann Das Paradies und die Peri, 22 August, 2023; Royal Albert Hall. 5*****: Clare Colvin
‘Outpouring of song exerts its romance in Schumann’s oriental fairy tale.’
Photo Credit: Mark Allan
BBC Prom 41: György Ligeti Lontano; Ludwig van Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major; Dmitry Shostakovich Symphony No. 10 in E minor. 4****: Clare Colvin
‘A pivotal moment of 1953 was linking up with the uncertain world of today.’
Photo Credit: BBC and Andy Paradise
The Apostles, Edward Elgar, Three Choirs Festival, Gloucester Cathedral, 29 July, 2023. 5*****: David Gray & Paul Gray
A magnificent reading of Elgar’s choral masterpiece.