David Lang’s collected stories is off to an heroic start

By Rebecca Lentjes, 23 April 2014

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“the spoken human voice can be just as expressive and musical an instrument as the six-string harp”

Reviewed at Carnegie Hall: Zankel, New York City on 22 April 2014

Bagby, Scenes from Beowulf

Partch, The Wayward

Benjamin Bagby, Narrator, Historical harp

Harry Partch Institute Ensemble

Philadelphia Orchestra closes season with a pair of American masters

Cameron Kelsall, 7th June

Hélène Grimaud and Emily D'Angelo join Yannick Nézet-Séguin for a varied and variable program of Gershwin and Bernstein.

***11

A study in contrasts with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra

Sandra Bowdler, 7th June

The pairing of Barshai's arrangment of Shostakovich's Eighth String Quartet with Mozart's Gran Partita makes for an interesting contrast in this concert, beautifully presented by members of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra.

****1

Manchester Camerata presents mindfulness in turmoil at Kings Place

Chris Garlick, 6th June

All praise should be heaped on Rosie Middleton for her brave evocation and the vocal prowess of her performance in Peter Maxwell Davies’ Eight Songs for a Mad King.

****1

Semyon Bychkov conducts a triumphant New York Phil season finale

Susan Stempleski, 4th June

The Soviet-born American conductor delivers a robust account of Bruckner’s Eighth Symphony in the final program of the Philharmonic’s subscription season.

****1

When time stands still: the Philharmonia revisits Strauss

Jessica Duchen, 4th June

The Philharmonia, Santtu-Matias Rouvali and Benjamin Grosvenor shine in the recreation of an all-Strauss extravaganza that was conducted in 1947 by the composer himself.

****1

Staatskapelle Dresden provides scintillating finish for Prague Spring

Frank Kuznik, 4th June

In a powerful performance conducted by Daniele Gatti, Verdi’s Requiem soars with optimistic energy to close the Prague Spring festival in Smetana Hall.

*****

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Rebecca Lentjes

Rebecca graduated from New York University in 2012, where she studied Music and Romance Languages. She now works as an assistant editor at RILM (Répertoire International de Littérature Musicale) and as manager of contemporary music collective ensemble mise-en.