classical
-
Journey to Aldeburgh: Young Britten CD review – exuberant and well worth exploringReview Journey to Aldeburgh: Young Britten CD review – exuberant and well worth exploring
4 / 5 starsBritten’s belated memorial to his teacher is the real discovery in this collection of unfamiliar material, writes Andrew Clements -
LPO/Vänskä review – he conducts Sibelius better than anyone else aliveOsmo Vänskä proved his mastery of the Finnish composer through early works including the Lemminkäinen Suite, writes Andrew Clements
-
The joy of sax: the 10 best orchestral saxophonesTo mark the bicentenary of the birth of its inventor, Adolph Sax - surely the most famous musical-instrument maker Belgium has ever produced - we present 10 of his instrument’s finest classical moments -
Idomeneo review – early Mozart as confusing study of regime changeThe modern police state backdrop sits oddly in Martin Kušej’s new production, provoking mostly puzzlement. And what is the shark about? asks Andrew Clements
-
Vaughan Williams: A Pastoral Symphony; Tallis Fantasia, etc CD review – a glorious account
Review Vaughan Williams: A Pastoral Symphony; Tallis Fantasia, etc CD review – a glorious account
4 / 5 starsThe troubled, sullied world that the music explores is recreated by Elder and the Hallé without ever becoming overwrought, writes Andrew Clements
-
Mendelssohn: Songs Without Words; Variations Sérieuses, etc CD review – a constant delight
Review Mendelssohn: Songs Without Words; Variations Sérieuses, etc CD review – a constant delight
4 / 5 starsJavier Perianes’ range of colour is perfectly judged, writes Andrew Clements -
Janáček: Glagolitic Mass; Eternal Gospel CD review – raw and confrontationalThe performance is a nicely detailed one, with adequate rather than outanding soloists, writes Andrew Clements
-
From Fargo to Hannibal, this is a golden age for TV musicWhether sparse and tense, or lavish and operatic, TV shows now have scores as impressive as their cinematic counterparts. We talk to the composers behind some of the best
-
The Left-Hander review – finely played and sung, but it’s no masterpieceA late start left the audience fractious, and striking orchestral and vocal effects were offset by a thinness of melodic and thematic inspiration , writes Tim Ashley
-
Les Martyrs review – no blood, but plenty of gutsy singingThe OAE and a cast in impressive voice conveyed the drama of the Roman arena in a concert outing of Donizetti’s forgotten grand opera, writes Erica Jeal
-
The Cunning Peasant review – Dvořák’s ‘flimsy’ opera transplanted to Hardy’s Wessex
Review The Cunning Peasant review – Dvořák’s ‘flimsy’ opera transplanted to Hardy’s Wessex
3 / 5 starsStephen Medcalf’s Far from the Madding Crowd take on Dvořák’s folk comedy doesn’t always work, but fine conducting and singing save the day, writes Tim Ashley -
LSO/Noseda review – pungent immediacy in Beamish’s wartime debutSally Beamish’s Equal Voices, on the effects of war, had its first outing, while Nelson Freire delivered a startling Emperor Concerto, writes Andrew Clements
-
Betrothal in a Monastery review – humour survives concert performanceWithout staging, it wasn’t easy keeping track of the lovers in Prokofiev’s comic opera, but Gergiev’s cast and orchestra filled in at least some of the gaps, writes Rian Evans
-
Enrico Caruso’s love letters have the passion of a Puccini operaPreviously unpublished private papers of Italian tenor chart the singer’s rise to fame and troubled personal life
-
Widmann Trio review – a superb evening of music-makingThe clarinettist Jörg Widmann and his trio perfectly caught Robert Schumann’s aching expressivity and irrepressible poignancy in an ingenious programme, writes Guy Dammann
-
BBCSO/Gardner review – expressionist whispers and a great UnfinishedThomas Larcher’s cycle for Mark Padmore was impeccably tailored, while Gardner’s account of the Schubert gave fresh insight, says Tim Ashley
-
Tenor Andrea Bocelli and his wife Veronica on their musical relationshipTenor Andrea Bocelli sang an aria to Veronica Berti the night they met. Twelve years later she is his wife and manager – and they continue to share a love of music
-
Salomé, Wexford festival review – Antoine Mariotte, anyone?The biggest draw at the 63rd Wexford festival was a rarely seen opera by a French naval officer, writes Fiona Maddocks
-
The Left-Hander review – finely played and sung, but it’s no masterpiece
Classical music The Left-Hander review – finely played and sung, but it’s no masterpiece
2 / 5 starsA late start left the audience fractious, and striking orchestral and vocal effects were offset by a thinness of melodic and thematic inspiration , writes Tim Ashley -
-
Les Martyrs review – no blood, but plenty of gutsy singingThe OAE and a cast in impressive voice conveyed the drama of the Roman arena in a concert outing of Donizetti’s forgotten grand opera, writes Erica Jeal
-
The Cunning Peasant review – Dvořák’s ‘flimsy’ opera transplanted to Hardy’s Wessex
Opera The Cunning Peasant review – Dvořák’s ‘flimsy’ opera transplanted to Hardy’s Wessex
3 / 5 starsStephen Medcalf’s Far from the Madding Crowd take on Dvořák’s folk comedy doesn’t always work, but fine conducting and singing save the day, writes Tim Ashley -
LSO/Noseda review – pungent immediacy in Beamish’s wartime debutSally Beamish’s Equal Voices, on the effects of war, had its first outing, while Nelson Freire delivered a startling Emperor Concerto, writes Andrew Clements
-
-
Betrothal in a Monastery review – humour survives concert performanceWithout staging, it wasn’t easy keeping track of the lovers in Prokofiev’s comic opera, but Gergiev’s cast and orchestra filled in at least some of the gaps, writes Rian Evans
-
Widmann Trio review – a superb evening of music-makingThe clarinettist Jörg Widmann and his trio perfectly caught Robert Schumann’s aching expressivity and irrepressible poignancy in an ingenious programme, writes Guy Dammann
-
BBCSO/Gardner review – expressionist whispers and a great UnfinishedThomas Larcher’s cycle for Mark Padmore was impeccably tailored, while Gardner’s account of the Schubert gave fresh insight, says Tim Ashley
-
Salomé, Wexford festival review – Antoine Mariotte, anyone?The biggest draw at the 63rd Wexford festival was a rarely seen opera by a French naval officer, writes Fiona Maddocks
-
BBC NOW/Llewellyn review – an insightful Dylan Thomas celebrationDaniel Jones’s Fourth Symphony, composed in memory of the poet, was the centrepiece for this evening of striking and sensitive responses to Thomas’s work, writes Rian Evans
-
Philharmonia/Sokhiev review – revels in Romantics and rebelsA strong performance of Berlioz’s Symphony Fantastique and an intense Coriolan featured alongside sparkling Liszt from Khatia Buniatishvili, writes Tim Ashley
-
La Bohème review – buoyant, with a Rodolfo to treasureJonathan Miller’s 2009 production is less revolutionary now, but this cast, especially David Butt Philip, is ebullient and full of warmth and skill, writes Erica Jeal
-
Arcadi Volodos review – virtuoso spinning heads, stillFrom fiery passages to moments of sublime quietness, the Russian pianist displayed the full range of his mercurial talent, writes Erica Jeal
-
Maria João Pires / Dumay / Meneses review – spooky eleganceHalloween-appropriate programming of the Ghost sonata was the centrepiece of a beguiling set of Beethoven piano trio chamber music, writes Martin Kettle
-
Brecon Baroque festival review – grave but graceful BachVarious venues, Brecon
Rachel Podger’s ensemble were well attuned to the cumulative powers of JS Bach, while Mahan Esfahani brought humanity on and off the stage, writes Rian Evans -
LSO/Harding review – bringing affirmative wordliness to Mahler’s NinthDaniel Harding’s death-defying approach held Mahler’s morbidity at bay, writes Martin Kettle
-
Red Note/Orchestre d’Auvergne review – haunting and hard-hitting new sounds
Classical music Red Note/Orchestre d’Auvergne review – haunting and hard-hitting new sounds
4 / 5 starsOn its 10th anniversary, the sound festival commemorated the first world war with three new works alongside an arresting, coolly delivered violin concerto, writes Kate Molleson -
RLPO/Petrenko – striking new Muhly, but shame about the acousticsNico Muhly’s Second Service was touching, and Vaughan Williams’s Serenade emerged unscathed, but the Strauss and Elgar were swallowed up by the cathedral’s echoing sound, writes Tim Ashley
-
La scala di seta; La Cenerentola; Moses in Egypt – reviewFrom early to epic, Rossini’s irrepressible operas are currently everywhere, writes Fiona Maddocks
album reviews
-
Mendelssohn: Songs Without Words; Variations Sérieuses, etc CD review – a constant delight
Classical music Mendelssohn: Songs Without Words; Variations Sérieuses, etc CD review – a constant delight
4 / 5 starsJavier Perianes’ range of colour is perfectly judged, writes Andrew Clements -
Janáček: Glagolitic Mass; Eternal Gospel CD review – raw and confrontational
Classical music Janáček: Glagolitic Mass; Eternal Gospel CD review – raw and confrontational
3 / 5 starsThe performance is a nicely detailed one, with adequate rather than outanding soloists, writes Andrew Clements -
Katia & Marielle Labèque: Sisters CD review – energy, wit and childhood memories
Classical music Katia & Marielle Labèque: Sisters CD review – energy, wit and childhood memories
3 / 5 starsThe Labèques roll back the years in a disc of popular piano duets, writes Fiona Maddocks
-
Roma Cafolla: CD Inspirations review – do try this at homeThe Irish composer’s lyrical work is a valuable addition to the chamber repertoire, writes Stephen Pritchard
-
Plummer, Cornysh, Lambe, anon: Transeamus CD review – a sweet farewell from the Hilliard Ensemble
Classical music Plummer, Cornysh, Lambe, anon: Transeamus CD review – a sweet farewell from the Hilliard Ensemble
4 / 5 starsThe male voice quartet’s final recording is typical of their unique and sophisticated work, writes Nicholas Kenyon -
Muhly: Two Boys CD review – inventive but impossibly arch opera from NY Met
Classical music Muhly: Two Boys CD review – inventive but impossibly arch opera from NY Met
2 / 5 starsNico Muhly’s choral writing is striking and inventive, but Craig Lucas’s lyrics remain deeply problematic, writes Andrew Clements -
Debussy: Sonata; Takemitsu: And Then I Knew ’Twas Wind; Gubaidulina: Garten von Freuden und Traurigkeiten CD review
Classical music Debussy: Sonata; Takemitsu: And Then I Knew ’Twas Wind; Gubaidulina: Garten von Freuden und Traurigkeiten CD review
4 / 5 starsDebussy’s late Sonata is one of his masterpieces, and is pleasingly paired here with two modern works it inspired, writes Andrew Clements -
Rachmaninov Complete Piano Works Vol 1: Artur Pizarro CD review – passionate but unrefined
Classical music Rachmaninov Complete Piano Works Vol 1: Artur Pizarro CD review – passionate but unrefined
4 / 5 starsFor Artur Pizarro, recording Rachmaninov is clearly a labour of love, and there’s certainly no lack of passion here, writes Andrew Clements -
Dufay: The Masses for 1453 CD review – full of grandeur and warmthCantica Symphonia’s recordings of two Dufay masses have plenty of grandeur and sense of occasion, writes Andrew Clements
-
Finzi: Requiem da Camera, Vaughan Williams: An Oxford Elegy, etc CD review – hymns to the fallen
Classical music Finzi: Requiem da Camera, Vaughan Williams: An Oxford Elegy, etc CD review – hymns to the fallen
4 / 5 starsGerald Finzi’s previously unrecorded Requiem da Camera is the highlight of this collection of first world war-themed compositions, writes Andrew Clements -
Bach: Orchestral Suites review – Egarr’s chamber approach reaps rewardsAn intimate recording from the Academy of Ancient Music brings out the detail in Bach’s rhythms, writes Stephen Pritchard
-
Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius, Sea Pictures CD review – a disc of the yearStuart Skelton is up there with Philip Langridge in this exemplary recording, writes Fiona Maddocks
-
Mozart, Schubert, Stravinsky: Piano Duos CD review – dizzy heights from two of the world’s greatest
Classical music Mozart, Schubert, Stravinsky: Piano Duos CD review – dizzy heights from two of the world’s greatest
5 / 5 starsMartha Argerich and Daniel Barenboim in a joint rectial? Yes, it’s pretty good, writes Nicholas Kenyon -
Oswald, Napoleão: Piano concertos CD review – distinct Romantic voicesOswald and Napoleão shared much in common but their music here is very different, writes Stephen Pritchard
-
Quatuor Hermès: Schumann String Quartets, Op 41 CD review – thoughtful and vivacious
Classical music Quatuor Hermès: Schumann String Quartets, Op 41 CD review – thoughtful and vivacious
4 / 5 starsThe young French-based group delightfully capture Schumann’s impulsiveness and lyricism, writes Andrew Clements -
Liebeck/BBCSSO/Brabbins: Bruch Scottish Fantasy; Violin Concerto No 3 CD review – fresh and imaginative
Classical music Liebeck/BBCSSO/Brabbins: Bruch Scottish Fantasy; Violin Concerto No 3 CD review – fresh and imaginative
3 / 5 starsSoloist Jack Liebeck and conductor Martyn Brabbins work hard to make the difficult music come alive, writes Andrew Clements -
Alamire/Skinner: The Spy’s Choirbook CD review – rich and sumptuousDavid Skinner’s 15-voice group delivers a meticulous performance of the 16th-century scribe’s most splendid surviving works, writes Andrew Clements
talking points
-
Suite scandal: why Bach's wife cannot take credit for his cello masterworkA film detailing an Australian music professor’s theory that Bach’s second wife Anna Magdalena composed one of his most famous works is causing a classical stir. Renowned cellist Steven Isserlis debunks the claim
-
Nat Nakasa: a South African in New York, years ahead of his timeNew musical work celebrates Nat Nakasa, a journalist who was exiled from South Africa and whose life ended suddenly in Harlem
-
The Death of Klinghoffer live Q&A: director Tom Morris answers your questions – as it happenedThe director of the controversial opera, which opened on Monday to protests at the Met in New York, will be online at 1pm ET on Friday. Please post your questions now
-
Readers recommend: songs that express excess – resultsClimbing over the top of a lavish superfluity of song nominations from last week’s topic, RR regular bluepeter picks his favourite examples of overkill
-
quartet-lab: a string quartet who open your ears to new ways of listeningAt last night’s Wigmore Hall concert, quartet-lab created a framework within which anything was possible, permissible, and comprehensible.
-
10 of the best: Classical music comedies and parodiesWe present an occasional and light-hearted series: a selection of 10 entirely subjectively chosen clips, this week representing our pick of classical music’s best parodies, comedies, and sketches
-
Haydn the opera composer - why are his stage works neglected?Haydn wrote 15 operas. Thanks to English Touring Opera, there’s a rare opportunity to see one of them this autumn.
-
Readers recommend: songs that express excess
In music, performance or lyrics, it’s time to cross the line and truly define what is flamboyant, superfluous and OTT, says Peter Kimpton -
Readers recommend: songs about seduction – resultsFrom a confident Otis Redding to a straightforward AC/DC, RR regular Suzi swoons at this shortlist of songs to get you in the mood
-
The 101 strangest records on Spotify: Alvin Lucier – Extended VoicesSometimes this column just features odd music. Sometimes – and this is one of those occasions – the music is also quite brilliant
-
Tom Watson’s suggestion that Radio 3 should give up its FM slot to 6 Music is baffling, writes Tom Service - a fan of both stationsRadio 3 offers a unique service; surely as many as possible should have access to it?
-
The Ulster Orchestra: facing extinctionThere’s only four weeks to save Northern Ireland’s only full-time professional orchestra
-
James Rhodes needs your unloved and unplayed instruments
Well, not literally. Donate them to schools and help the Don’t Stop the Music campaign
-
Readers recommend: songs about seductionDances of deception to sensual strategies, suggest your songs from the viewpoint of pursuer or pursued in this week’s sexy topic, says Peter Kimpton
-
Go Schubert crazy at the Oxford Lieder festival – all 650 songs performed liveFor three unbelievable weeks in Oxford, the Schubert Project will present the complete repertoire of Schubert’s songs, the first time ever in this country
-
What will Daniele Gatti bring to world's best symphony orchestra?The newly announced music director of Amsterdam’s Royal Concertgebouw in 2016 will arrive at a time when it has never been so critically lauded – or financially threatened, writes Tom Service
-
The best of Brahms: lesser-known treatsFive performers from BBC Radio 3’s Brahms Experience tell us about their favourite under-loved work – and why it should be played more often
-
Readers recommend: songs with children performingChild prodigies to children’s choirs, family bands to sampled voices, suggest music that makes the most of youthful talent, says Peter Kimpton
-
With the Death of Klinghoffer, niche protest meets a niche art formEmma Brockes: Notebook: Protesters in New York turned against the Metropolitan Opera’s latest production, but were unable to get it stopped. They needn’t worry
you may have missed
-
-
A guide to contemporary classical musicTom Service introduces 50 composers from the contemporary classical music scene
I’ve learned a critical lesson: sugaring the pill makes it taste worse