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Mark Thomas

Mark Thomas

A lifelong devotee of classical music, Mark caught the bug after listening to The Planets, The Rite of Spring and Beethoven’s Fifth when he was knee-high to a grasshopper. He has degrees in non-musical subjects and currently works as a Chartered Governance Professional, but these have proved to be mere distractions from the wonders of sonatas, concertos and symphonies. He has been reviewing for Bachtrack since 2016, plays viola and violin (very shakily) and used to sing a bit (even more shakily).

Author:Mark Thomas

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Fresh and flamboyant: Klaus Mäkelä and the Orchestre de Paris at the BBC Proms

By Mark Thomas, 03 September 2024

Klaus Mäkelä presents fresh and dynamic takes on French masterpieces from Debussy and Berlioz, the Orchestre de Paris providing colour and vigour in Stravinsky.

*****

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Fresh and flamboyant: Mäkelä and the Orchestre de Paris at the Proms

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Angelic and tragic: Czech Phil glistens in Dvořák and Suk at the BBC Proms

By Mark Thomas, 27 August 2024

The Year of Czech Music continues at the BBC Proms with a highly-shaped Dvořák Cello Concerto from Proms debutant Anastasia Kobekina and Suk’s monster of a symphony, Asrael.

****1

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Angelic and tragic: Czech Phil glistens in Dvořák and Suk at the Proms

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Brahms 4 off the Richter scale from Karina Canellakis and the LPO

By Mark Thomas, 21 February 2024

Canellakis and the LPO are in fighting form with Brahms’ Fourth Symphony, while Pablo Ferrández provides subtlety and sardonic bite in Shostakovich.

****1

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Brahms 4 off the Richter scale from Karina Canellakis and the LPO

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Hannigan and LSO push all the buttons in provocative season opener

By Mark Thomas, 14 September 2023

An enticing Barbican programme from Barbara Hannigan, seeking light out of darkness in pieces spanning three different centuries, and an electrifying vocal performance by mezzo-soprano Fleur Barron.

*****

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Hannigan and LSO push all the buttons in provocative season opener

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Neglected composers and a blockbuster from Jaime Martín and BBC NOW

By Mark Thomas, 08 August 2023

Geneva Lewis embraces the lyricism in Grace Williams’ Violin Concerto, with a rousing overture from Dora Pejačević and a robust Planets Suite from Jaime Martín and BBC NOW.

***11

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Neglected composers and a blockbuster from Jaime Martín and BBC NOW

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Elegant and exhilarating all-American Prom from Ryan Bancroft and the BBC NOW

By Mark Thomas, 31 July 2023

Ryan Bancroft and the BBC NOW offer scintillating playing in John Adams’ Harmonium, plus an exciting world premiere from Derrick Skye and a stunning Copland concerto with clarinettist Annelien Van Wauwe.

****1

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An exhilarating all-American Prom from Ryan Bancroft and BBC NOW

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Top Mozart from Kristian Bezuidenhout and The English Concert

By Mark Thomas, 07 June 2023

A scintillating account of an all-Mozart programme at St Martin-in-the-Fields with a mighty concerto, a mightier symphony and one of his more unusual overtures.

*****

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Top Mozart from Kristian Bezuidenhout and The English Concert

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A heartening journey: a sensuous fix from Wigglesworth and the LSO

By Mark Thomas, 02 February 2023

Ryan Wigglesworth steps into the breach with relish and authority in this journey through the senses, pitting Hummel against Tchaikovsky, plus a UK premiere from Nokuthula Ngwenyama.

***11

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A heartening journey: a sensuous fix from Wigglesworth and the LSO

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Russian sparkle from Osmo Vänskä and the Seoul Philharmonic at Cadogan Hall

By Mark Thomas, 27 October 2022

Two high-octane Russian favourites and an eight-minute microcosm of musical history give much to enjoy as the Seoul Philharmonic makes its first visit to London for eight years.

***11

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Russian sparkle from Vänskä and the Seoul Philharmonic

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Awesome sweep and power from Hannu Lintu and LPO in Nielsen, Dean and Mahler

By Mark Thomas, 09 February 2022

A fuel-filled programme from the London Philharmonic under Hannu Lintu in Nielsen and Mahler, while Lawrence Power exudes contemporary flair in Brett Dean’s Viola Concerto.

****1

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Awesome sweep and power from Hannu Lintu and LPO

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Stikhina and Kowaljow cut deep in Shostakovich with Noseda and the LSO

By Mark Thomas, 03 February 2022

Elena Stikhina and Vitalij Kowaljow provided an extra touch of class in Shostakovich’s sombre but moving Fourteenth Symphony, with Noseda and the LSO running riot in Beethoven’s Seventh.

*****

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Stikhina and Kowaljow cut deep in Shostakovich with Noseda and the LSO

Anna Prohaska ignites Ludwigsburg with Veronika Eberle, Alisa Weilerstein and Idoo Bar-Shaï

By Mark Thomas, 23 June 2021

This enticing ensemble of soprano and piano trio evoked, delighted and expressed with heightened intensity in less well-known repertoire, including from some big names.

*****

Prohaska ignites Ludwigsburg with Eberle, Weilerstein and Bar-Shaï

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The sunny side of the street: the Aoi Trio’s path is paved with brightness

By Mark Thomas, 04 June 2021

We talk about life as a piano trio, their competition success, the Suntory Hall Chamber Music Academy and their future plans in Japan and Europe.

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Aoi Trio’s path is paved with brightness

Punch and passion from Gürzenich Orchester Köln

By Mark Thomas, 13 April 2021

An exciting, though brief, world premiere and Schubert’s turbulent Fourth Symphony were given impressive readings by the Gürzenich Orchestra under Michael Sanderling, with Raphaela Gromes sensitive and passionate in Schumann.

****1

Punch and passion from Gürzenich Orchester Köln

Serenade and sorrow from the Amsterdam Sinfonietta, Arcayürek and Klieser

By Mark Thomas, 25 March 2021

The impressive Amsterdam Sinfonietta showed lucidity and depth in Britten and Shostakovich, with tenor Ilker Arcayürek and horn player Felix Klieser adding much to the quality.

****1

Serenade and sorrow from Amsterdam Sinfonietta, Arcayürek and Klieser

Impetuous and impassioned Romantics from Hough, Gardiner and the BSO

By Mark Thomas, 24 February 2021

Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Stephen Hough and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra provide oodles of vibrancy and passion in Schumann and Brahms.

****1

Impetuous and impassioned Romantics from Hough, Gardiner and the BSO

No illusions: Andris Nelsons and Boston Symphony return as clear as crystal

By Mark Thomas, 11 February 2021

As if they’d never been apart, Andris Nelsons and the Boston Symphony Orchestra pick up where they left off a year ago, with a vibrant Eroica and two mesmerising contemporary pieces.

*****

No illusions: Andris Nelsons and BSO return as clear as crystal

Exciting departure from the mainstream by Scottish Chamber Orchestra

By Mark Thomas, 28 January 2021

Maxim Emelyanychev gave individual string players from the SCO more airtime and more of a “chamber” feel to an intriguing programme of Baroque, Classical and Romantic works.

***11

Exciting departure from the mainstream by Scottish Chamber Orchestra

Rouvali and the Philharmonia glisten like quartz in American smorgasbord

By Mark Thomas, 26 October 2020

A slightly left-field American-themed programme gave Santtu-Matias Rouvali scope to explore, and excel, in the Philharmonia’s exciting return to the Royal Festival Hall.

*****

Rouvali and Philharmonia glisten like quartz in American smorgasbord

Colour and dynamism in abundance from the LPO and John Storgårds

By Mark Thomas, 14 October 2020

John Storgårds and the London Philharmonic Orchestra couple Julian Anderson’s evocative Van Gogh Blue with an exhilarating Beethoven’s Seventh, while Simone Lamsma is dynamic and expansive in Nielsen.

****1

Colour and dynamism in abundance from the LPO and John Storgårds

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra is back with a bang in a gold-plated season opener

By Mark Thomas, 30 September 2020

David Hill took the helm as the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra opened its account with arrangements of Bach and Mahler, an Ives masterpiece and an ebullient Beethoven 7.

****1

BSO is back with a bang in a gold-plated season opener

Lithe spirit from London Mozart Players in Prokofiev and Schumann

By Mark Thomas, 24 September 2020

The London Mozart Players produce effervescence in Prokofiev while cellist Maciej Kulakowski shines in a clean and expressive Schumann Cello Concerto.

****1

Lithe spirit from London Mozart Players in Prokofiev and Schumann

Up and running: passion and grandeur from the Philharmonia

By Mark Thomas, 16 July 2020

A welcome return from the Philharmonia saw John Wilson exercising his passion for English music in a Vaughan Williams masterpiece and an impressive Sheku Kanneh-Mason in Saint-Saëns.

****1

Up and running: passion and grandeur from the Philharmonia

Music for our times: contemporary with a touch of intimacy at the Pierre Boulez Saal

By Mark Thomas, 10 July 2020

Daniel Barenboim, Emmanuel Pahud and select musicians continue their brief odyssey into new music with three striking and stimulating world premieres and a welcome touch of Boulez.

****1

Contemporary with a touch of intimacy at the Pierre Boulez Saal

A sense of wonder: Levit and Becker reveal plenty in Beethoven, Brahms and Bartók

By Mark Thomas, 19 February 2020

An intriguing programme and incisive playing from Igor Levit and Markus Becker as they examine Beethoven and Brahms from a fresh angle, and exceptional Bartók.

****1

A sense of wonder: Levit and Becker

A shimmering kaleidoscope of sonority from the Orchestre National de Lille

By Mark Thomas, 29 January 2020

Clarity and colour from Alexandre Bloch and the Orchestre National de Lille in Debussy and Ravel, with an elegant and majestic Beethoven’s Fourth Piano Concerto from Eric Lu.

****1

A shimmering kaleidoscope of sonority from the ONL

Intoxicating Gautier Capuçon and Yuja Wang in Franck and Chopin

By Mark Thomas, 13 January 2020

A delicious programme from glamour duo Gautier Capuçon and Yuja Wang, reuniting in Franck and Chopin with dynamism and depth – and a killer encore.

*****

Intoxicating Gautier Capuçon and Yuja Wang in Franck and Chopin

Crisp and even: Zehetmair ruminative in Beethoven with Herreweghe and the Philharmonia

By Mark Thomas, 21 November 2019

Philippe Herreweghe reveals a crisp and precise Philharmonia in Schubert’s Fifth Symphony as Thomas Zehetmair provides reflection and breadth in Beethoven’s Violin Concerto.

***11

Crisp and even: Zehetmair ruminative in Beethoven

Radiance and dazzle from Xavier de Maistre’s angelic harp and the LPO

By Mark Thomas, 06 November 2019

A dynamic and dreamy concoction from the London Philharmonic under Lawrence Renes, with impeccable performances from harp virtuoso Xavier de Maistre and LPO Principal Flute Juliette Bausor.

****1

Radiance and dazzle from Xavier de Maistre’s angelic harp

Emotional sinews stretched in Czech masterpieces with Gardiner and the LSO

By Mark Thomas, 24 October 2019

Truls Mørk was cultured and intense in Dvořák’s Cello Concerto while Sir John Eliot Gardiner took the LSO through its paces in Suk’s emotional beast of a symphony.

***11

Emotional sinews stretched with Gardiner and the LSO

Tognetti releases the inner impulses of Bach with the Australian Chamber Orchestra

By Mark Thomas, 03 October 2019

Richard Tognetti’s absorbing programme mixed Bach’s Goldberg Variations with Stravinsky and Adès, played impressively and with characteristic exuberance and finesse by the Australian Chamber Orchestra.

****1

Tognetti releases the inner impulses of Bach

Prom 69: searing Shostakovich from Bychkov and the Czech Philharmonic

By Mark Thomas, 10 September 2019

Semyon Bychkov produces a gripping and soul-searching Shostakovich Eighth while soprano Elena Stikhina makes an impressive UK debut in Tchaikovsky.

*****

Searing Shostakovich from Bychkov and the Czech Phil

Prom 60: solid-gold music-making as Bernard Haitink makes his UK farewell

By Mark Thomas, 03 September 2019

An emotional night in London as Bernard Haitink says farewell to London with grand and searching performances of Bruckner and Beethoven, with the distinguished Emanuel Ax in tow.

*****

Solid-gold music-making as Haitink makes his UK farewell

Prom 34: Bluster and conviction from Argerich and Barenboim with West-Eastern Divan Orchestra

By Mark Thomas, 12 August 2019

There was vibrancy and subtlety in these cultured performances of Schubert and Lutosławski, with Martha Argerich still showing how it’s done with ‘that’ Tchaikovsky concerto.

****1

Bluster and conviction from Argerich and Barenboim

Prom 7: Omer Meir Wellber moves through the gears with BBC Philharmonic

By Mark Thomas, 23 July 2019

Wellber may have lots planned for the BBC Philharmonic over the coming years, but this exciting programme showed that he didn’t want to waste any time delivering.

***11

Prom 7: Wellber moves through the gears with BBC Phil

“Remember me!” Norrington and LPO provide emotion and insight in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas

By Mark Thomas, 30 January 2019

Sir Roger Norrington and a strong cast joined a Baroque-style London Philharmonic Orchestra in a highly accomplished Dido and Aeneas, preceded by Handel’s clean and stately Water Music.

*****

Norrington and LPO provide emotion and insight in Dido and Aeneas

Elegant and energetic: pacy Tchaikovsky from Long Yu and the Philharmonia

By Mark Thomas, 29 November 2018

Long Yu certainly didn’t rest on his laurels as he powered through Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony, while Jian Wang introduced subtlety and deftness in the Rococo Variations.

***11

Pacy Tchaikovsky from Long Yu and the Philharmonia

Hrůša’s Slavic canvas and the mystery of Kabeláč

By Mark Thomas, 22 November 2018

Dvořák’s Slavonic Dances were a treat and Simon Trpčeski was characteristically glistening in Shostakovich, but the surprise package turned out to be a rarely heard work by Kabeláč.

****1

Hrůša’s Slavic canvas and the mystery of Kabeláč

Prom 44: Lili Boulanger steals the show in Morlot’s opalescent French tableau

By Mark Thomas, 15 August 2018

Colour and light from Ludovic Morlot and the CBSO in Debussy and Ravel, but it was the power and depth of Lili Boulanger’s Psalm 130 that shone the brightest.

****1

Prom 44: Lili Boulanger steals the show

Prom 34: Mena bids farewell to BBC Philharmonic in dynamic Anglo-American programme

By Mark Thomas, 08 August 2018

An intriguing programme of Britten, Walton, Barber and Copland provided dynamism, evocative imagery and new discoveries in Juanjo Mena’s valedictory concert with the BBC Philharmonic.

****1

Prom 34: Juanjo Mena bids farewell to BBC Philharmonic

Prom 25: Miloš Karadaglić creates mystery and atmosphere in Joby Talbot’s new concerto

By Mark Thomas, 02 August 2018

Miloš Karadaglić provides atmosphere and virtuosity in Joby Talbot’s newest work, while Alexander Vedernikov and the BBC Symphony Orchestra give Russian flourishes in Glinka and Tchaikovsky.

***11

Intoxicating moods at the Proms

Angelic voices in the Swiss mountains: Classy Kavakos and serene Ying Fang join Eschenbach

By Mark Thomas, 23 July 2018

Classy performances from Leonidas Kavakos and Ying Fang, joining Christoph Eschenbach and the Verbier Festival Orchestra in a polished Berg Violin Concerto and a sublime Mahler 4.

****1

Angelic voices in the Swiss mountains

Seong-Jin Cho shows maturity and subtlety in Verbier recital

By Mark Thomas, 23 July 2018

In a passionate and evocative programme, South Korean pianist Seong-Jin Cho shows that his interpretive skills can start to blossom beyond mere technical prowess.

****1

Seong-Jin Cho shows maturity and subtlety in Verbier recital

Ilya Gringolts and Maxim Vengerov reach the heights in Verbier

By Mark Thomas, 22 July 2018

Ilya Gringolts and Maxim Vengerov gave world-class performances of landmark pieces by Bach and Bartók, with a generous sprinkling of Prokofiev and Wieniawski giving extra sparkle.

*****

Gringolts and Vengerov reach the heights in Verbier

Subtlety and gravity: Paul Lewis delves deep in mature Haydn, Beethoven and Brahms

By Mark Thomas, 05 June 2018

Paul Lewis continued his enlightening exploration of Haydn, Beethoven and Brahms with performances of delicacy, steel and depth, where quality ruled over quantity.

****1

Subtlety and gravity: Paul Lewis delves deep

Elegant guise from Arabella Steinbacher as Dresden Philharmonic takes on Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich

By Mark Thomas, 22 May 2018

A polished Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto from Arabella Steinbacher preceded a forceful Shostakovich 5 from Michael Sanderling as the Dresden Philharmonic continue their UK tour.

****1

Elegant guise from Arabella Steinbacher with Dresden Philharmonic

A vibrant Mediterranean tableau from Daniele Rustioni and Avi Avital

By Mark Thomas, 09 May 2018

The BBC Symphony Orchestra was on tip-top form, with the buoyant Daniele Rustioni and mandolin virtuoso Avi Avital conjuring up a fresco of genuine Mediterranean delights.

****1

A vibrant Mediterranean tableau from the BBCSO

Barry Douglas majestic with below par Czech National Symphony Orchestra

By Mark Thomas, 18 April 2018

An imperious Barry Douglas provided a magisterial Emperor Concerto in an otherwise disappointing concert from the Czech National Symphony Orchestra.

**111

Barry Douglas majestic with below par Czech NSO

Stravinsky’s Perséphone brought to life by Adès and Barry

By Mark Thomas, 11 April 2018

Glistening performances by the London Philharmonic Orchestra and combined forces under Thomas Adès bring to life Stravinsky’s Perséphone, with fiery premières of works by Adès himself and Gerald Barry.

****1

Stravinsky’s Perséphone brought to life by Adès and Barry

Misty evocations and raw passion from Stephen Hough

By Mark Thomas, 05 April 2018

Shimmering images from Debussy in his evocative Images had Stephen Hough oozing luminescence, with passion in Schumann and firing on all cylinders in Beethoven’s “Appassionata”.

*****

Misty evocations and raw passion from Stephen Hough