Articles by Andrew Larkin

Excellent singing, dramatic sets and jolly music make this a rewarding revival of a long-forgotten opera, Herculanum by David. 

Stephen Hough delivers an exciting account of Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto no. 1 while the sparks from a speedy Beethoven's Symphony no. 7 fail to ignite. 

Christopher Young and other composers share the secrets of breaking into the world of film scoring. Pulse College Dublin offers a unique opportunity to study a MA in Film Scoring.

Nesterowicz and the NSO deliver a stunning Shostakovich Symphony 10 while Vähälä captivates with the magical delights of Vasks' Distant Lights.

Serebrier and the ECO deliver fine performances of Haydn, Beethoven and Vaughan Williams.  

Good singing, incisive production and colourful choreography in The Mandela Trilogy make for many entertaining moments though inherent flaws in libretto and music fail to make it a satisfying, coherent whole. 

The RCO under its newly appointed chief conductor Daniele Gatti give a gripping programme of Romantic music. Soloist Gabetta impresses tremendously as well. 

Dickensian good cheer and humour make for a remarkably satisfying performance from Oue, Fray and the NSO.

Buribayev and NSO deliver a powerful Mahler 4 while Ailish Tynan sings of the heavenly delights, while Alina Pogostkina dishes up outstanding Mendelssohn.

A life-affirming account of Mahler Symphony no.3 with strong input from mezzo Imelda Drumm, the Ladies of the RTE Philharmonic Choir and Cór na nÓg. 

A risk-averse approach ruined the dramatic spontaneity of the Ballades but the 24 Preludes in the second half were much more convincing. 

Stellar singing and excellent acting makes this a brilliantly satisfying and amusing 1970s take on Rossini's classic The Barber of Seville. 

Irish soprano Orla Boylan offers an engaging performance of Ravel's Shéhérazade and Sibelius' Luonnotar while the NSO under the baton of Brönnimann deliver a commendable Sibelius 5. 

Masaaki Suzuki and the Bach Collegium Japan deliver a generally satisfying Mass in B minor.

Gerhaher's glorious rendition of Mozart arias and the crisp sound of the FBO made for a delightful evening. 

A decadent romantic programme of Wagner and Mahler, where Nathalie Stutzmann delivered a scintillating performance particularly in Wagner's Prelude.

Poetic Schumann and raw Prokofiev: Milstein convinces with a two composer programme. 

Subtle and sublime, Denk delivers a memorable Mozart Rondo and Beethoven Op.109 and a marvellous Goldberg Variations.

The stark forces of Nielsen and Britten were ably brought out by Jensen and the NSO; theirSchubert failed to convince. 

A riveting account of Handel's Samson in Dublin, with Katherine Watson, James Gilchrist and Madeleine Shaw shining as soloists.