Reviews
![Alexander Ullman (piano)Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. 21 January 2024. 4****: William Ruff](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1705941736360-0W19JPS9SP92EIRZ9YAG/AU.jpg)
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.
Jenùfa by Leoš Janácek, London Symphony Orchestra, Barbican Hall, London EC2. 5*****: Clare Colvin.
“Powerfully vivid performance of Janácek’s most moving opera.”
Photo Credit: Barbican.
![The National Youth Orchestra, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 05 January 2024. 5*****: William Ruff:](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1704557476038-KWTSSCQHTQDN1VHU51Z4/WR+NYO+2024.jpeg)
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.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1703093302722-AQWANMBDVUICXSTNTQDT/fW9uhXfs.jpg)
Tenebrae, A Christmas Conversation, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 19 December 2023. 5*****: William Ruff.
“Tenebrae create an uplifting fusion of Christmas words and music.”
![A Christmas Celebration, Southwell Music Festival 2023, Southwell Minster, 18 December 2023. 5*****: William Ruff.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1702994251160-XMYO4WRGEMDVRDX36P8B/ChrisMaguirePhotography+%2825%29.jpeg)
A Christmas Celebration, Southwell Music Festival 2023, Southwell Minster, 18 December 2023. 5*****: William Ruff.
“Music and words that probe deeply into the Christmas spirit.”
Photo Credit: ChrisMaguire.
![Yu Kosuge (piano), Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 17 December 2023. 4****: William Ruff.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1702901753670-EFGDT0JXRUZ3YSVPG4JD/Yu+Kosuge+2+credit+Marco+Borggreve.jpg)
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.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1702650541274-JS8TOXPNA0SCH0P4LQG0/Kazuki.jpg)
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.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1702650121172-DWPRYOZZC5OWSE2JYWOY/i+faglioni+angels+and+demons+1600+900.jpg)
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.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1702902012818-TK2JBDVOC93V2GGMX6OQ/Vache+Baroque+%C2%A9+The+Photography+Shed.jpeg)
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.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1701887287619-SEVU8RJVHCWK9Q5O144P/Chlo%C3%A9+van+Soeterst%C3%A8de+8+credit+Chris+Christodoulou.jpg)
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.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1701722085205-OBNCN93Q8UYUQVHDLXLR/3.-Messiah-815-x-400-800x400.jpg)
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.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1701722106248-8UKF5L5LSOVLIFVQXO31/Alpesh-Clean-Web_5585cc5c5a8bcb3437840e124a74d25d.jpg)
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.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1701722133234-GOYXDFRDPHSEH6RJ8Z4B/manchester%2Bcollective%2B800%2B600.jpg)
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.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1701161718670-JAO6QGUYCUTXPRT815O8/Geyer.jpeg)
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.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1701038256968-VE8I8BCI74JNAW55C4NO/TngPPyHw.jpg)
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.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1701038102061-CNGXAYSF1UQWV9OCPWHX/domingo-hindoyan-conductor-25-april.jpg)
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.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1701037466026-ED3CX99KFA5SUT6QN9WV/Giltburg+Rach+preludes.jpg)
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.”
![Aaron Azunda Akugbo, Lakeside, Nottingham, 23 November 2023. 4****: William Ruff.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1701004556660-5QVW392WCMZZ7L8W26NK/Aaron+Akugbo+1600+900.jpg)
Aaron Azunda Akugbo, Lakeside, Nottingham, 23 November 2023. 4****: William Ruff.
“Virtuosity and variety from two engaging musicians.”
![Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 22 November, 2023. 5*****: David Gray & Paul Gray.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1701036834491-HYL1SKQIZ4KF9H9LEXEN/22-November-Francesca-Dego-credit-Davide-Cerati_5585cc5c5a8bcb3437840e124a74d25d.png)
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.
![Edward Scissorhands, Theatre Royal Plymouth, until 25 November, 2023 and touring. 5*****: Cormac Richards](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1700662411927-FOUN8AMWBCACRHSIO7PB/52749807695_ff2872c041_c.jpg)
Edward Scissorhands, Theatre Royal Plymouth, until 25 November, 2023 and touring. 5*****: Cormac Richards
‘Edward Scissorhands is a supreme theatrical achievement on every level.’
Photo Credit: Johan Persson.