Leighton has extensive teaching experience from early years to postgraduate level music. Currently he works as a primary music specialist, visiting instrumental teacher and examiner. As a pianist, he was inspired to play after hearing Moura Lympany at a young age and has a large collection of her recordings. Leighton’s postgraduate studies focussed on his interest in 20th-century English orchestral music, with particular study of Britten, Rawsthorne, Walton and Vaughan Williams. A keen choral singer he has developed a comprehensive knowledge of chiefly British choral music.
In a vibrant evening of music, the RLPO with Domingo Hindoyan give a memorable performance of Rachmaninov’s Third Symphony, while Pacho Flores steals the show in his own flugelhorn concerto.
Bookending a new harpsichord concerto from Gavin Bryars for the renowned virtuoso Mahan Esfahani, two underrated symphonies are given highly commendable performances in Liverpool.
Brahms’ Second Symphony leads on from where Rachmaninov’s most difficult concerto leaves off as the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic presents a balanced programme under Domingo Hindoyan.
Kahchun Wong and Benjamin Grosvenor give Rachmaninov’s Second Piano Concerto an extraordinary overhaul; followed by a remarkable jaunt around Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition.
Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall swells to the music of Stravinsky, Brahms and Beethoven as the BBC Philharmonic explores different perspectives on Classical forms.
Elgar, Szymanowski and Vaughan Williams may not be obvious concert companions, but with remarkable music-making these three sit beautifully together to make a special evening.
Domingo Hindoyan and Javier Perianes bring a Mediterranean themed evening to Liverpool on an autumnal evening. The Spanish sunshine shining on Philharmonic Hall was occasionally obscured by clouds.
Bringing a programme of music from their homeland and works with resonance to the people of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra make a strong impression.
From the streets of New York to America’s southern states, Daniele Rustioni with the Ulster Orchestra present an all American evening, with some fine playing.
