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Reviews
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. 01 February 2024. 4****: William Ruff
“The CBSO’s presents a fairy tale programme with plenty of Technicolor spectacle.”
Beethoven 5, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Wednesday 24 January 2024, also Thursday 25 January 2024. 4****: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“An uneven evening with a Mozartian gem at its core.”
Photo: Courtesy of CBSO, Birmingham.
Ossian Huskinson (bass-baritone) with Matthew Fletcher (piano), Lakeside, Nottingham 25 January, 2024. 4****: William Ruff
“Vivid musical story-telling from a singer with a bright future.”
Photo: Courtesy of Lakeside, Nottingham.
Alexander Ullman (piano)Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. 21 January 2024. 4****: William Ruff
“Fine pianism – and impressive stamina - from Alexander Ullman.”
Photo: Courtesy of Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham.
The National Youth Orchestra, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 05 January 2024. 5*****: William Ruff:
“The NYO’s spectacular playing bodes well for the future of classical music.”
Tenebrae, A Christmas Conversation, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 19 December 2023. 5*****: William Ruff.
“Tenebrae create an uplifting fusion of Christmas words and music.”
Yu Kosuge (piano), Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 17 December 2023. 4****: William Ruff.
“Piano playing of depth, concentration and sharp focus.”
Photo Credit: Marco Borggreve.
Kazuki Conducts Beethoven’s Eroica, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Wednesday 13 December 2023. 5*****: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“Fabulous music, not so sure about the concept.”
I Fagiolini and Brecon Baroque, Lakeside, Nottingham, 14 December 2023. 4****: William Ruff.
“I Fagiolini celebrate both the spiritual and the earthy sides of Christmas.”
The Songs of Solomon by Salomone Rossi - Vache Baroque, St John’s Smith Square, London SW1. 4****: Clare Colvin.
“Choreography that flowed through the course of the evening.”
Photo Credit: The Photography Shed.
The Hallé, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 05 December 2023. 5*****: William Ruff.
“The Hallé on spectacular form under conductor Chloé van Soeterstède.”
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.’