Articles by Andrew Larkin

Fine singing all round, sensitive continuo musicianship and dramatic action make for a thoroughly enjoyable Return of Ulysses by Monteverdi.

The Apollon Musagète Quartet captures the imaginative world of Panufnik, while Nurit and Pescia deliver a searingly intense Bloch Violin Sonata no. 1.  

Quartet Dudok perform life-affirming Mozart while Apollon Musagète Quartet give an effective rendition of Panufnik. Quatuor Danel deliver a tour de force of Beethoven's “Razumovsky” String Quartet no. 2.

An energetic Kodály and a convincing Bacewicz String Quartet no. 4 made for a satisfying first half, while the Quatuor Danel delivered a wonderful rendition of Beethoven’s Op.59 no. 1. 

Composer-pianist, Vestards Shimkus gives a compelling rendition of his imaginative 9 etudes Dreamscapes, while his Bach-Busoni 9 Chorale Preludes offers more mixed results. 

The Latvian Radio Choir, coupled with the Sinfonietta Rīga Orchestra under the conductor Sigvards Kļava give an ethereal rendition of four contemporary Latvian composers in Riga Cathedral.

A wonderful showcase of operatic voices at the 37th International Hans Gabor Belvedere Singing Competition in Latvia. 

A well crafted, elegant Mozart Piano Concerto no. 23 in the first half counters the passions and tragedy of Mahler’s Symphony no. 6 in the second. 

The BSO deliver a malevolent Walton Symphony no. 1 and a joyous Elgar In the South. Meanwhile, Trpčeski provides lovely moments in Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto no. 1. 

Ahead of the inaugural International Chopin Competition on Period Instruments in September, we talk to director Stanisław Leszczyński about reconstructing Chopin. 

A night to remember: an exciting Rachmaninov Piano Concerto no. 2 from Gryaznov and a passionate Brahms Symphony no. 1.

A wonderful ful-filled caper by the Irish National Opera of Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro with Erraught as Susanna and Miskelly as Cherubino really impressing. 

A charming rendition of Nielsen's Aladdin Suite and Ravel’s Piano Concerto made up the first half while Martín gave us a romantic rendition of Sibelius’ Fifth Symphony.

Stutzmann continues to impress with her excellent insight and musicianship with a satisfying Lalo overture and a masterful Beethoven Fifth Symphony. Cellist Alban Gerhardt delivers a rewarding Elgar concerto. 

A shimmering account of Debussy's Jeux was followed by a delectable reading of Poulenc's Concerto for two pianos. Conductor Ward delivered a convincing performance of Prokofiev's Fifth Symphony.

Rustioni and NSO gave a passionate rendition of Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony while Russian pianist Toradze performed cracking Shostakovich. 

A seductive Debussy, a spikey Bartók violin concerto and a scintillating Berlioz: Kochavonsky and NSO join forces with violinist Sokolov.

A sumptuous, elegant rendition of Beethoven's Violin Concerto by Nikolaj Znaider, while exchanging violin for baton, Znaider conducts the NSO in a fascinating rendition of Shostakovich's Symphony no. 5.

An enjoyable concert of Nights in the Gardens of Spain, Ravel's Piano concerto for the Left Hand and Nielsen's Symphony no. 5 by the Mexican duo Carlos Prieto and Jorge Osorio. 

After somewhat tame Tchaikovsky, the combined forces of Barry Douglas and the Borodin String Quartet deliver a compelling Brahms Piano Quintet.