Articles by Peter Marks

The Lithuanian conductor made Beethoven really sing while violinist, Vilde Frang's spirited interpretation of Elgar's Violin Concerto did not seem quite the finished article.

Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra brought a fresh approach to Mahler's Fourth Symphony and the harp took centre stage for a change with a concerto première. 

New Music Director, Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla reminded Birmingham audiences just how much they have to be proud of with an exciting combination of Lithuanian music and symphonic masterpieces.

Benjamin Grosvenor reminded us what a magnificent piece of music Grieg's piano showpiece is in this sensational performance with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

Nicola Benedetti impresses a packed Birmingham Symphony Hall with her commanding performance of Szymanowski's second violin concerto in a thrilling programme with the CBSO.

An all Sibelius concert played with precision and flair by the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra fails to provide fresh insights into the composer's enigmatic works but violinist Christal Lee is a soloist to watch.

Ben Gernon impresses with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in an evocative programme of French and Russian music.

Ryan Wigglesworth proves a fine interpreter of not only his own work in his return visit to the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

Standing in for an unwell Andris Nelsons, Birmingham-born Alpesh Chauhan proved a satisfying substitution for a capacity audience at Symphony Hall.

Stephen Hough made the case for re-appraising Dvořák’s Cinderella Piano Concerto with some fine accompaniment from the CBSO and Andris Nelsons.

Master improviser, Robert Levin, proved an informative and fun guide to a selection of Mozart's later masterpieces, performed with panache by the Academy of Ancient Music.

Benjamin Grosvenor presented a fascinating programme of works, demonstrating a profound musical intellect.

Francesco Piemontesi delivered a most satisfying performance of Beethoven's Fourth Piano Concerto while Lahav Shani made an electrifying impression in pieces by Prokofiev with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

Veteran conductor Walter Weller failed to bring two German masterpieces to life, despite some gorgeous playing from the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

Fellow Frenchmen Alain Altinoglu and Renaud Capuçon make for fine partners in a rare outing for Berlioz's Harold in Italy. 

Two Eastern European masterpieces were given gripping readings by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra under Edward Gardner.

Conductor, Andris Nelsons, once again demonstrated his affinity with Richard Strauss in a magnificent performance of his tone poem, Symphonia Domestica.

Rattle's return found the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in glorious form for this performance of two popular masterpieces.

Though impressively performed by the Moscow players, conductor Yuri Simonov's interpretative choices did not always convince in Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony.

The Czech Pavel Haas Quartet bring their distinctive sound and selfless musicianship to Birmingham, in the first of three concerts featuring Matthew Hunt in Brahms's Clarinet Quintet alongside twentieth century quartets.