WIENER BLUT: THE ESSENTIAL STAATSOPER EXPERIENCE
DAY ONE
Wednesday 19th September was a red letter day. I turned up well in time to take my seat in the orchestra stalls not knowing what to expect. At 8 o’cloc... Continue Reading...
Reviews
RSSO opens Usher Hall Sunday Classics Series
Russian State Symphony Orchestra/Valentin Uryupin
Barry Douglas, piano
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Swan Lake Suite
Dmitri Shostakovich, Piano Concerto No. 2
S... Continue Reading...
A STELLAR OPERATIC BON-BON TO CLOSE THE LUCERNE FESTIVAL
The marvellous Italian mezzo Cecilia Bartoli produced and sang in this remarkable festive semi-staged performance of Rossini’s timeless comedy La Cenerentola. S... Continue Reading...
A FAREWELL TO THE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAS AT LUCERNE
Last but by no mean least was the turn of the London Philharmonic - a beautifully streamlined sound and a high level of musicality. This performance had a speci... Continue Reading...
A DOUBLE TRIBUTE TO BERNSTEIN
25th August 2018 saw the 100th birth anniversary of American composer, conductor and pianist Leonard Bernstein. The Boston Symphony Orchestra chose for their tw... Continue Reading...
FRENCH MASTERPIECES FROM THE LONDON SYMPHONY
It was now the turn for three evenings with the London Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Sir Simon Rattle their new Music Director. I attended the first two... Continue Reading...
Battle, Drumroll and Enlightenment
A week into Beethovenfest, the magic has failed to subside. The air is still abuzz with excitement with concerts taking place regularly, providing much on offer... Continue Reading...
A HEAVY WEIGHT ROMANTIC BOUNTY FROM THE VIENNA PHILHARMONIC
After two successive evenings with the Royal Concertgebouw it was the turn of the Vienna Philharmonic. What great orchestras they both are but sounded very diff... Continue Reading...