classical music reviews, news & interviews
Bernard Hughes |

Echo Vocal Ensemble have their genesis in Genesis. Sarah Latto’s group were initially formed by a cohort of the Genesis Sixteen young artists’ programme – and she has turned them into one of the most innovative vocal groups around. The programme at Union Chapel on Sunday night was a good example of their approach, with eclectic repertoire, new commissions, improvisation, a smattering of classics – and a loose-limbed dancer adding a visual element.

David Nice |

One miracle of musical performance is that a work you’ve loved for years can be revealed as never before in an outstanding interpretation. That happened to me last week at the New Ross Piano Festival when 22-year-old pianist Magdalene Cho turned us upside down in Bach’s Sixth Partita. It happened again last night when Peter Whelan and his Irish Baroque Orchestra hit 1788 with one of the three symphonic masterpieces Mozart composed in a single summer, the 39th.

Boyd Tonkin
Even in the 21st century, it may not take that long for an outlandish literary experiment to jump genres and become an established musical classic.…
graham.rickson
 Corelli/Handel: Sonatas Michaela Koudelková (recorders), Monika Knoblochová (harpsichord), Libor Mašek (cello), Jan Krejča (theorbo)…
Bernard Hughes
Schubert’s Fifth Symphony is one of those pieces whose existence in the modern world hangs on the most tenuous of threads. After its posthumous…

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Robert Beale
Star of the console takes us on a cosmic dance , while Elgar brings us back to earth
David Nice
From revelatory Bach played with astounding maturity by a 22 year old to four-hand jazz
Clara Marshall Cawley
Five days of free events with all sorts of audiences around Manchester starts tomorrow
Bernard Hughes
Unusual combination of horn, strings and electronics makes for some intriguing listening
Rachel Halliburton
Classical music makes its debut at London's K-Music Festival
Robert Beale
Season opener brings lyrical beauty, crisp confidence and a proper Romantic wallow
Robert Beale
Celebration of the past with stars of the future at the Royal Northern College
David Nice
Great soloist, conductor and orchestra take Britten and Shostakovich to the edge
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Bartók kept short, and a sprawling Dvořák choral ballad done as well as it could be
Robert Beale
Prokofiev in the hands of a fine violinist has surely never sounded better
David Nice
First-rate soloists, choir and orchestra unite in a blazing Mozart Requiem
David Nice
Chameleonic Seong-Jin Cho is a match for the fine-tuning of the LSO’s Chief Conductor
graham.rickson
Cello concertos, choral collections and a stunning tribute to a contemporary giant
Bernard Hughes
A relaxed evening of light-hearted fare, with the accordion offering unusual colours
Simon Thompson
Bigger than ever, and the quality remains astonishingly high
Boyd Tonkin
Sensuous Ravel, and bittersweet Bernstein, on an amorous evening
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Music by 30 living composers, with Eleanor Alberga topping the bill
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Baroque splendour, and chamber-ensemble drama, amid history-haunted lands
Bernard Hughes
Young pianist shines in Grieg but Bliss’s portentous cantata disappoints
David Nice
Finnish heroes meet their Austro-German counterparts in breathtaking interpretations
graham.rickson
Two big boxes, plus new music for brass and a pair of clarinet concertos
Robert Beale
Images of maternal care inspired by Hepworth and played in a gallery setting
David Nice
First-half mix of Sámi songs and string things falters, but Shostakovich scours the soul
David Nice
Pure joy, with a touch of introspection, from a great ensemble and three superb soloists

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