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Nick Boston

Nick Boston

Nick has an MA in Music, specialising in performance and repertoire. His particular passions are choral music, chamber music and opera, with a particular interest in early music. He sings in a number of choirs in the south east of England, plays the piano and occasionally dusts off the violin. He writes about music here.

Author:Nick Boston

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Musical resilience from Pekka Kuusisto and Katarina Barruk at the Proms

By Nick Boston, 31 August 2025

An eclectic programme including evocative Sámi joiks from and powerful Shostakovich performed from memory by the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra.

****1

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Musical resilience from Kuusisto and Barruk at the BBC Proms

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Le Concert Spirituel’s Striggio marred by flawed staging choices at the BBC Proms

By Nick Boston, 17 August 2025

Le Concert Sprituel’s otherwise strong performance of Striggio and other Renaissance works is let down by their staging and the Royal Albert Hall’s acoustics.

***11

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Le Concert Spirituel’s Striggio marred by flawed staging choices

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Nicholas Collon and Aurora Orchestra pull off another dramatic performance from memory

By Nick Boston, 17 August 2025

Nicholas Collon and the Aurora Orchestra, together with Frantic Assembly, present an illuminating analysis of Shostakovich's Fifth Symphony, followed by a blistering account of the work from memory.

****1

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Aurora Orchestra pulls off another dramatic performance from memory

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A spectacular swansong for the Rosendal Chamber Music Festival

By Nick Boston, 10 August 2025

A fitting farewell for Leif Ove Andsnes' Rosendal Chamber Music Festival: imaginative programming and excellent performances in an inspiring setting.

*****

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A spectacular swansong for the Rosendal Chamber Music Festival

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Exciting Bacewicz and Lutosławski from Tadaaki Otaka and the BBC NOW

By Nick Boston, 30 July 2025

Strong performances of Bacewicz and Lutosławski in Tadaaki Otaka's final outing with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales at the Proms, with technically commanding and sincere Rachmaninov from Vadym Kholodenko.

***11

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Exciting Bacewicz and Lutosławski from Tadaaki Otaka and the BBC NOW

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Joyful energy from Rachel Podger and The Mozartists at Wigmore Hall

By Nick Boston, 18 June 2025

Expressive energy from Rachel Podger in two Mozart violin concertos, with a rare symphony and lively Haydn from Ian Page and the Mozartists.

*****

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Joyful energy from Rachel Podger and The Mozartists at Wigmore Hall

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Glyndebourne's Saul still packs a punch 10 years on

By Nick Boston, 08 June 2025

Returning from the original run, Christopher Purves and Iestyn Davies were joined by a strong cast and chorus for a revival of Barrie Kosky's striking production.

*****

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Glyndebourne's Saul still packs a punch 10 years on

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A golden Turangalîla-Symphonie to celebrate the Brighton Philharmonic’s centenary

By Nick Boston, 13 April 2025

Joanna MacGregor and the Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra bring their 100th season to a triumphant conclusion at the Brighton Dome.

****1

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A golden Turangalîla to celebrate the Brighton Philharmonic’s 100th

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Convincing MacMillan from Benedetti contrasts with Noseda's full-on Shostakovich

By Nick Boston, 03 April 2025

Sir James MacMillan's Second Violin Concerto receives a convincing reading from Nicola Benedetti, bookended by fine performances of celebratory Shostakovich from Gianandrea Noseda and the LSO.

****1

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Convincing MacMillan and full-on Shostakovich with the LSO

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Bach sheds light in an impressively dark outing from the Australian Chamber Orchestra

By Nick Boston, 21 March 2025

Energetic commitment from the ACO at the Barbican, with precision and edge from Alexander Melnikov and Jeroen Berwaerts in an evening of darkness and light.

****1

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Bach sheds light in an impressively dark outing from the ACO

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Classy Brahms ends a fine visit from Yutaka Sado and the Tonkünstler-Orchester

By Nick Boston, 13 March 2025

Effortless Brahms and rich Sibelius from Sado and the Tonkünstler-Orchester, with elegant Mozart from Yeol Eum Son at Cadogan Hall.

****1

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Classy Brahms ends a fine visit from the Tonkünstler-Orchester

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Gardner and the LPO scale Alpine heights with majestic ease

By Nick Boston, 21 February 2025

Majestic Strauss and effortless Grieg from Edward Gardner and the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

****1

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Gardner and the LPO scale Alpine heights with majestic ease

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ENO gives Thea Musgrave's Mary, Queen of Scots a worthy performance

By Nick Boston, 15 February 2025

Musgrave's powerful depiction of a powerful woman at the mercy of male manipulation receives a strong staging from at ENO.

****1

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ENO gives Thea Musgrave's Mary, Queen of Scots a worthy performance

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Savall and Hespèrion XXI celebrate 50 years with effortless style

By Nick Boston, 18 December 2024

Rich sounding viols, lively percussion and spicy theorbo and guitar in eclectic consort music from Jordi Savall and Hesperian XXI in their 50th year.

*****

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Savall and Hespèrion XXI celebrate 50 years with effortless style

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Highly individual Mozart from Buniatishvili

By Nick Boston, 09 December 2024

The Academy of St Martin in the Fields give exciting performances at the Barbican, with idiosyncratic Mozart from Buniatishvili.

***11

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Highly individual Mozart from Buniatishvili

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Gothic Opera brings powerful high drama to Donizetti in Battersea

By Nick Boston, 31 October 2024

Strong performances and powerful direction in Gothic Opera's premiere UK staging of Donizetti's Maria de Rudenz at Battersea Arts Centre.

****1

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Gothic Opera brings powerful high drama to Donizetti in Battersea

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Powerfully moving A Child of Our Time at Glyndebourne

By Nick Boston, 29 October 2024

Bombastic Beethoven from Hickox and the Glyndebourne Sinfonia is followed by a memorable and powerful performance of Tippett's A Child of Our Time.

****1

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Powerfully moving A Child of Our Time at Glyndebourne

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Handel's Messiah overpowered by massed forces to close the Proms Choral Day

By Nick Boston, 07 September 2024

Massed choral forces, a strong solo line up and expanded orchestral forces overpower Handel at the end of the BBC Proms Choral Day.

***11

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Handel's Messiah overpowered by massed forces at the Proms

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Rattle and the Bavarian RSO offer a glimmer of hope in epic Mahler 6

By Nick Boston, 06 September 2024

Stunning orchestral colour from the BRSO, with command and total coherency from Sir Simon Rattle in Mahler's “Tragic” Symphony.

*****

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Rattle and the BRSO offer a glimmer of hope in epic Mahler 6

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Energy and showmanship in Minasi and Ensemble Resonanz's Mozart at the Proms

By Nick Boston, 20 August 2024

Some unexpected tempo swerves from Minasi in the Jupiter in an otherwise sprightly evening of Mozart from Ensemble Resonanz.

****1

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Energy and showmanship in Minasi and Ensemble Resonanz's Mozart

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Beauty without the beast: BBC Philharmonic, Feldman and Bihlmaier at the BBC Proms

By Nick Boston, 08 August 2024

Joyful ease of touch from Feldmann in Beethoven, and flowing Brahms from Bihlmaier characterise the BBC Philharmonic's final Prom of the summer.

***11

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Beauty without the beast: BBC Philharmonic at the Proms

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Impressive visuals and performances lift a confusing operatic take on The Tempest

By Nick Boston, 11 July 2024

Strong vocal and orchestral performances, supported by impressive visuals, struggle to bring coherency to Anthony Bolton's Island of Dreams at Grange Park Opera.

***11

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A confusing operatic take on The Tempest at Grange Park Opera

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Strong performances prevent Gloger's Così fan tutte being buried by its own cleverness

By Nick Boston, 26 June 2024

Golda Schultz leads a fine cast in the fourth revival of Jan Philipp Gloger's Royal Opera production.

***11

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Strong performances counter Gloger's “clever” Così fan tutte

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Evocative Beamish and commanding Prokofiev from Noseda and the LSO

By Nick Boston, 20 June 2024

Sally Beamish's Distans received its UK premiere, along with the Seventh Symphony in Noseda's ongoing Prokofiev cycle with the LSO.

****1

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Evocative Beamish and commanding Prokofiev from Noseda and the LSO

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Deeply expressive, virtuosic cello sonatas from Sheku and Isata Kanneh-Mason

By Nick Boston, 28 May 2024

An impressive evening at the Barbican from two rapidly maturing performers, unafraid to bring chamber music to audiences more familiar with standard virtuosic concerto displays.

****1

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Expressive, virtuosic cello sonatas from Sheku and Isata Kanneh-Mason

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Strong cast brings fizz to Glyndebourne's colourful Zauberflöte revival

By Nick Boston, 18 May 2024

A visually delightful revival of Barbe & Doucet's action-packed Zauberflöte at Glyndebourne, with strong vocal performances throughout.

****1

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Strong cast brings fizz to Glyndebourne's Zauberflöte revival

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20th-century English quintets at Cadogan Hall: sensitivity and orchestral scale

By Nick Boston, 24 March 2024

Mark Bebbington and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra principals give full-blooded yet nuanced performances of chamber works by Ireland, Vaughan Williams and Elgar.

****1

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20th-century English quintets at Cadogan Hall

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A triumphant Esther from Cummings at the London Handel Festival's Spring Awakenings

By Nick Boston, 14 March 2024

A glorious Esther from Laurence Cummings and the London Handel Singers and Orchestra, with a classy line-up of soloists led by Nardus Williams and Tim Mead.

****1

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A triumphant Esther from Cummings at London Handel Festival

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Intensity, virtuosity and life-affirming energy from the Pavel Haas Quartet's all-Czech evening

By Nick Boston, 12 February 2024

The Pavel Haas Quartet perform Kaprálová, Martinů and Dvořák at Wigmore Hall with rich, full-bodied tone and effortless virtuosity.

****1

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Life-affirming energy from the Pavel Haas Quartet at Wigmore Hall

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Energetic Scottish Symphony lifts a weighty evening of the Schumanns and Mendelssohns

By Nick Boston, 20 January 2024

Ponomarchuk and the LPO raise the spirits in Felix Mendelssohn's Scottish Symphony after an underwhelming first half at the Brighton Dome.

***11

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Energetic Scottish Symphony lifts a weighty evening with the LPO

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Passionately committed Brahms from Janine Jansen and friends at Wigmore Hall

By Nick Boston, 21 December 2023

Timothy Ridout, Daniel Blendulf and Denis Kozhukin join the Dutch violinist for intensely passionate performances of Brahms chamber works.

*****

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Passionately committed Brahms from Janine Jansen and friends

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Järvi and the Philharmonia hammer home the terrors of war in Prokofiev 6

By Nick Boston, 26 November 2023

Languid expression in Debussy, exhilarating Tchaikovsky from James Ehnes, and terrifying Prokofiev in a programme of extremes.

****1

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Philharmonia hammers home the terrors of war in Prokofiev 6

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Confusion clouds any central critique in Clément's Don Giovanni at Glyndebourne

By Nick Boston, 12 November 2023

Strong musical performances in a flawed and confused production revived for the autumn season at Glyndebourne.

***11

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Confusion clouds any central critique in Clément's Don Giovanni

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Another joyful Glyndebourne return for Annabel Arden's fizzy Elisir d'amore

By Nick Boston, 11 November 2023

Strong solo and ensemble singing from a solid cast – with a last minute addition for Act 2 – make for a joyful revival of this much-loved production.

****1

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Another joyful return for Glyndebourne's fizzy Elisir d'amore

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Lugansky and Petrenko inject new life into iconic Rachmaninov and Elgar

By Nick Boston, 29 October 2023

The RPO, in great form under Petrenko, deliver exciting Auerbach and propulsive Elgar, with Lugansky shining bright in Rachmaninov.

****1

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Injecting new life into iconic Rachmaninov and Elgar

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Monteverdi's 1610 Vespers in their shining glory from I Fagiolini

By Nick Boston, 29 September 2023

I Fagiolini and the English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble give a very special performance at Kings Place.

*****

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Monteverdi's 1610 Vespers in their shining glory from I Fagiolini

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Vladimir Jurowski and the Bayerische Staatsorchester make it all look so easy

By Nick Boston, 19 September 2023

Sumptuous Wagner and effortless Mahler from the Bayrisches Staatsorchester, cleanly expressive Schumann from Yefim Bronfman and richly communicative singing from Louise Alder.

*****

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Jurowski and the Bayerische Staatsorchester make it all look so easy

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Britten Sinfonia ablaze on the BBC Proms’ hottest night

By Nick Boston, 06 September 2023

Inventiveness, joyful performance and intuitive communication from Thomas Gould and the Britten Sinfonia in recompositions from Richter, Auerbach and Tippett.

*****

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Britten Sinfonia ablaze on the BBC Proms’ hottest night

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Cummings and the AAM bring the house down with Samson at the BBC Proms

By Nick Boston, 23 August 2023

Majestic performances all round in Handel's oratorio, with a strong solo team led by Allan Clayton as Samson, and a convincingly well-drilled performance from the Philharmonia Chorus.

****1

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Cummings and the AAM bring the house down with Samson at the Proms

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Sumptuous song and assured Rachmaninov from Connolly, Storgårds and the BBC Philharmonic

By Nick Boston, 09 August 2023

Dame Sarah Connolly brings passion and depth to rare orchestral songs by Dora Pejačević and Alma Mahler.

****1

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Sumptuous song and assured Rachmaninov from Storgårds and the BBC Phil

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Lyrical virtuosity from Ehnes, with majestic Sibelius from Storgårds and the BBC Philharmonic

By Nick Boston, 03 August 2023

A disconcerting and expectation-defying premiere from Barry, followed by lyrical and virtuosic Walton from James Ehnes, ending with a majestic rendition of Sibelius' Symphony No. 1 by Storgårds and the BBC Philharmonic.

****1

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Lyrical virtuosity, majestic Sibelius from the BBC Phil

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Dove's Mansfield Park positively fizzes with Waterperry Opera in Marylebone

By Nick Boston, 08 July 2023

A uniformly strong cast and pianists effortlessly combine comedy and emotion in Dove's Mansfield Park from Waterperry Opera.

*****

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Dove's Mansfield Park positively fizzes in Marylebone

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Flying Dutchman becomes chillingly contemporary in OperaUpClose treatment

By Nick Boston, 07 July 2023

OperaUpClose's vision of a dystopian England through Wagner's Flying Dutchman, distilled for chamber forces, receives strong performances from the cast and Manchester Camerata players.

***11

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OperaUpClose's Flying Dutchman becomes chillingly contemporary

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Bath Festival Orchestra inspires the next generation at Cadogan Hall

By Nick Boston, 08 June 2023

Atmospheric Britten from Ben Goldscheider and Robin Tritschler, and insightful playing from the BFO under Peter Manning, with students from the Bobby Moore Academy at the evening's heart.

****1

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Bath Festival Orchestra inspires the next generation at Cadogan Hall

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Two outstanding concerts for the price of one: Abel Selaocoe and the BBC Singers

By Nick Boston, 19 May 2023

Expertly delivered Rachmaninov from Sofi Jeannin and the BBC Singers, with wild virtuosic instrumental and vocal displays from Abel Selaocoe.

****1

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Two concerts for the price of one: Abel Selaocoe and the BBC Singers

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Robert Carsen's Royal Opera Aida shines a spotlight on the modern military state

By Nick Boston, 05 May 2023

Robert Carsen's Aida focusses on the brutality of war, with powerful lead performances from Angel Blue, SeokJong Baek and Elīna Garanča, plus strong orchestral colours from Sir Mark Elder.

****1

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Royal Opera's Aida shines a spotlight on the modern military state

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Singing vocal lines plus phenomenal power in Lugansky's Rachmaninov

By Nick Boston, 20 March 2023

Nikolai Lugansky demonstrates variety and depth, with lyrical melodies, ringing bells and crazy virtuosity in a captivating all-Rachmaninov recital at Wigmore Hall.

*****

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Singing vocal lines plus phenomenal power in Lugansky's Rachmaninov

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Emotionally compelling Lenau settings from Gerhaher and Huber at Wigmore Hall

By Nick Boston, 12 February 2023

The German baritone and his frequent recital collaborator perform tragic evocations of insanity in Lenau settings with intense impact.

*****

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Emotionally compelling Gerhaher and Huber at Wigmore Hall

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In Brighton, Tchaikovsky's Fifth lifts Gergely Madaras' LPO debut

By Nick Boston, 11 February 2023

Madaras and the LPO rise above the routine in Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony, with an engaging performance of the Rococo Variations from Zlatomir Fung.

***11

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In Brighton, Tchaikovsky's Fifth lifts Gergely Madaras' LPO debut

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Dazzling Tippett from Steven Osborne and the London Philharmonic

By Nick Boston, 25 January 2023

Edward Gardner and the LPO offer powerful Elgar and luscious Coleridge-Taylor in their “Three Britons” programme at the Royal Festival Hall.

****1

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Dazzling Tippett from Steven Osborne and the London Philharmonic