Live, Video: Find classical music concert, opera, ballet and dance reviews | Kazuki Yamada

Yunchan Lim plays a starring role in the CBSO’s 20th-century icons Prom

By Leighton Jones, 01 August 2025

Adams, Rachmaninov and Berio are not three easy bedfellows, however Kazuki Yamada and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra pull these strands together remarkably.

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London

01 Aug 2025

Yunchan Lim plays a starring role in the CBSO’s Prom

By Leighton Jones

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Cleveland

Kazuki Yamada balances Mozart's grace and Elgar's grandeur in Cleveland debut

By Sam Jacobson, 25 April 2025

Kazuki Yamada selects a regal Mozart piano concerto and a sprawling Elgar symphony for his Cleveland Orchestra debut.

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Cleveland

25 Apr 2025

Yamada balances Mozart's grace and Elgar's grandeur in Cleveland debut

By Sam Jacobson

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Kazuki Yamada and the CBSO deliver an evening of stark contrasts at Symphony Hall

By Simon Cummings, 16 April 2025

A concert of French music reveals – and suffers from – contrasting styles, attitudes and coherence in works by Ravel and Poulenc.

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Birmingham

16 Apr 2025

Yamada and the CBSO deliver an evening of stark contrasts

By Simon Cummings

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Emotionally-charged modernism: Mahler’s Ninth at Symphony Hall

By Simon Cummings, 10 April 2025

Kazuki Yamada and the CBSO give a poignant, haunting performance of Mahler’s Ninth Symphony, foreshadowed by Takemitsu’s miniature Requiem.

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Birmingham

10 Apr 2025

Emotionally-charged modernism: Mahler’s Ninth at Symphony Hall

By Simon Cummings

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From chaos to joy: Haydn’s The Creation in Birmingham

By Simon Cummings, 26 February 2025

Kazuki Yamada and the CBSO and Chorus weave Baroque and Romantic allusions into Haydn’s Classical masterpiece, in a superb, at times operatic, performance at Symphony Hall.

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Birmingham

26 Feb 2025

From chaos to joy: Haydn’s The Creation in Birmingham

By Simon Cummings

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From effortless ease to convoluted struggle: Mozart and Bruckner in Birmingham

By Simon Cummings, 12 December 2024

The CBSO gives a vivid account of Bruckner’s Ninth Symphony, its structural and emotional convolution laid bare, and an athletic account of Mozart’s Piano Concerto no. 26 featuring Martin Helmchen.

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Birmingham

12 Dec 2024

Mozart and Bruckner in Birmingham

By Simon Cummings

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Walton 2–0 Elgar: triumph and failure for the CBSO at Symphony Hall

By Simon Cummings, 04 December 2024

Kazuki Yamada and the CBSO give an aimless, flabby account of Elgar’s Violin Concerto, but a rambunctious reading of Walton is filled with delirious joy.

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Birmingham

04 Dec 2024

Walton 2–0 Elgar: triumph and failure for the CBSO at Symphony Hall

By Simon Cummings

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New York City

Elegant Chopin from Yunchan Lim, the NY Philharmonic and Kazuki Yamada

By Susan Stempleski, 27 November 2024

Rising conductor Kazuki Yamada conducts a clear, forthright and flowing account of Rachmaninov's Second Symphony.

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New York City

27 Nov 2024

Elegant Chopin from Yunchan Lim and the NY Phil

By Susan Stempleski

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Seattle

Requiems and riddles: Seattle Symphony muses on the ultimate questions

By Thomas May, 21 November 2024

Kazuki Yamada returns to the Seattle Symphony with a pair of Requiems and a rousing Elgar Enigma.

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Seattle

21 Nov 2024

Requiems and riddles: Seattle Symphony muses on the ultimate questions

By Thomas May

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Joy triumphs as Kazuki Yamada enthuses Birmingham with Beethoven’s Ninth

By Robert Gainer, 19 September 2024

“Go big or go home!” A new season opens with the CBSO and Chorus giving an epic Beethoven Ninth at Birmingham's Symphony Hall.

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Birmingham

19 Sep 2024

Joy triumphs as Yamada enthuses Birmingham with Beethoven

By Robert Gainer

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From soft to very loud: the CBSO's superb BBC Prom with Kazuki Yamada

By Alexander Hall, 22 August 2024

A knockout performance of Sir Henry Wood's arrangement of Mussorgsky's most famous composition, coupled with refinement and sophistication elsewhere, show the CBSO at the top of its game.

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London

22 Aug 2024

Soft to very loud: the CBSO's superb BBC Prom with Yamada

By Alexander Hall

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Kazuki Yamada and the CBSO deliver an evening of restless rhapsody

By Simon Cummings, 17 January 2024

Music by Berlioz, Walton and a recent work by Dai Fujikura are each revealed to have restlessness at their cores, leading to highly different forms of energy and lyricism.

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Birmingham

17 Jan 2024

Kazuki Yamada and the CBSO deliver an evening of restless rhapsody

By Simon Cummings

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Dramatic tragedy and joy at Symphony Hall in music by Shostakovich and Walton

By Simon Cummings, 16 September 2023

The CBSO and Kazuki Yamada, with cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, get their new season up and running with an evening of ebullience, pain and, ultimately, happiness.

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Birmingham

16 Sep 2023

Dramatic tragedy and joy at Symphony Hall, Birmingham

By Simon Cummings

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Showing Orff: a rip-roaring Carmina Burana from Yamada and the CBSO

By Dominic Lowe, 27 July 2023

Psalm 150 and a collection of outrageous 13th-century texts by boisterous young clergyman collide at the Royal Albert Hall in the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra's Prom.

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London

27 Jul 2023

Showing Orff: a rip-roaring Carmina Burana from Yamada and the CBSO

By Dominic Lowe

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Not all that they seem: Britten and Elgar challenge expectations at Symphony Hall

By Simon Cummings, 14 June 2023

Kazuki Yamada and the CBSO demonstrate the mercurial tension in Britten’s Serenade and Elgar’s First Symphony in the season finale.

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Birmingham

14 Jun 2023

Britten and Elgar challenge expectations at Symphony Hall

By Simon Cummings

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Weightless and transparent: the CBSO and Kazuki Yamada amaze in Rachmaninov

By Simon Cummings, 07 June 2023

Under Kazuki Yamada, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra gives one of its finest performances in years, in a concert featuring music by Holst, Beethoven and Rachmaninov.

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Birmingham

07 Jun 2023

Weightless and transparent: the CBSO amazes in Rachmaninov 2

By Simon Cummings

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Tokyo

Brahms to remember from Hisako Kawamura at Suntory Hall

By David Karlin, 13 March 2023

Hisako Kawamura shows excellence and stamina in tackling two huge concertos, while Kazuki Yamada and the Yomiuri Nippon Symphony give compelling Brahms but are less convincing in Amy Beach.

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Tokyo

13 Mar 2023

Brahms to remember from Hisako Kawamura at Suntory Hall

By David Karlin

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Kazuki Yamada and the CBSO prove there is life to be found on other planets

By Robert Gainer, 01 February 2023

Kazuki Yamada returns to the CBSO with an ever-popular orchestral suite, an under-appreciated concerto, and a fabulous pianist in Alexandre Kantorow to play it.

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Birmingham

01 Feb 2023

Yamada and the CBSO prove there is life to be found on other planets

By Robert Gainer

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Rome

A weighty hymn of praise at the Santa Cecilia

By Mark Pullinger, 26 November 2022

Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha is the pick of the soloists in a weighty reading of Mendelssohn's Lobgesang under Kazuki Yamada. But can Schubert's Fifth withstand the same approach?

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Rome

26 Nov 2022

A weighty hymn of praise at the Santa Cecilia

By Mark Pullinger

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Heralding a new era: exuberant Dvořák and mature Mendelssohn at Symphony Hall

By Simon Cummings, 20 September 2022

Nicola Benedetti and the CBSO under Kazuki Yamada bring impressive levels of sensitivity and honesty to Dvořák’s New World Symphony and Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto.

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Birmingham

20 Sep 2022

Heralding a new CBSO era: exuberant Dvořák and mature Mendelssohn

By Simon Cummings

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Dame Ethel Smyth at the double: a rare concerto for Kazuki Yamada’s Proms debut

By Mark Pullinger, 25 July 2022

The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra's Chief Conductor Designate makes a strong impression in purposeful Rachmaninov after Elena Urioste and Ben Goldscheider wave the flag for Dame Ethel Smyth.

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London

25 Jul 2022

Smyth at the double: a rare concerto for Kazuki Yamada’s Proms debut

By Mark Pullinger

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Kazuki Yamada states his intentions with the CBSO and Mahler

By Robert Gainer, 19 January 2022

With the help of soprano Fatma Said and a compelling programme, the incoming City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra chief conductor made good on his promise and past performances.

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Birmingham

19 Jan 2022

Kazuki Yamada states his intentions with the CBSO and Mahler

By Robert Gainer

Kazuki Yamada and the CBSO open 2021 season with a triumphant mix of light and serious

By Simon Cummings, 16 September 2021

The CBSO’s newly-announced Chief Conductor delivers a jaw-dropping season opener featuring French and Russian music full of emotional contrasts.

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Birmingham

16 Sep 2021

Kazuki Yamada and the CBSO open their 2021 season triumphantly

By Simon Cummings

Volatility unites music by Elgar, Richard Strauss and Takemitsu in Birmingham

By Simon Cummings, 23 February 2020

The CBSO Youth Orchestra under Kazuki Yamada find connections in three works inhabiting very different worlds.

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Birmingham

23 Feb 2020

Volatility unites music by Elgar, Strauss and Takemitsu in Birmingham

By Simon Cummings

Manchester

A tale of two halves as Jess Gillam makes her Hallé debut

By Hugh Morris, 16 January 2020

Intense lyricism bridges the gap between John Adams and Rachmaninov, but debutant Kazuki Yamada struggles to link the two.

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Manchester

16 Jan 2020

A tale of two halves as Jess Gillam makes her Hallé debut

By Hugh Morris

An Afternoon with Nijinsky and Maillot's excellent Ballets de Monte-Carlo

By Alexandra Desvignes, 09 February 2019

As well as keeping the musical, choreographic and theatrical treasures of the Ballets Russes alive, En compagnie de Nijinsky reignites the company’s avant garde-ist vision.

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Paris

09 Feb 2019

An Afternoon with Nijinsky

By Alexandra Desvignes

Kazuki Yamada rocks Symphony Hall

By Nick John Whittle, 10 October 2018

Principal Guest Conductor Kazuki Yamada teases brilliant French sounds from the CBSO.

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Birmingham

10 Oct 2018

Kazuki Yamada rocks Symphony Hall

By Nick John Whittle

Houston

Underwhelming Lost Cello Concerto at Houston Symphony

By Sydney Boyd, 13 April 2017

In a program with Chabrier’s España and Falla’s The Three-Cornered Hat, the Houston Symphony ambitiously unearthed Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s Cello Concerto, last heard at its premiere with the New York Philharmonic in 1935.

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Houston

13 Apr 2017

Underwhelming Lost Cello Concerto at Houston Symphony

By Sydney Boyd

Sunny Sibelius with Kazuki Yamada and the CBSO

By Katherine Dixson, 16 June 2016

Kazuki Yamada combines Japanese deference with full control of his players to lead he CBSO to fine performances of Beethoven and Sibelius, with a relatively laid back performance of the Elgar Cello concerto.

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Birmingham

16 Jun 2016

Sunny Sibelius with Kazuki Yamada and the CBSO

By Katherine Dixson

Cologne

WDR Symphonieorchester Köln takes a gamble on young talent, but Kazuki Yamada delivers

By Gavin Dixon, 06 July 2013

The WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln put its fate in the hands of the younger generation for this evening’s concert. Conductor Kazuki Yamada is only 34. The original violin soloist was to have been Lisa Batiashvili, but she pulled out and was replaced by the 22-year-old Serge Zimmermann.

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Cologne

06 Jul 2013

WDR Symphonieorchester Köln takes a gamble on young talent, but Kazuki Yamada delivers

By Gavin Dixon

Lacklustre Tchaikovsky, but brilliant Thibaudet

By Tom Hancox, 15 June 2011

The programme notes suggested that Glinka was the father of Russian nationalism. Perhaps this is the case, but his overture to his second opera, Ruslan and Ludmilla, is undeniably an Italianate work, surely influenced by his meetings with Donizetti and Bellini in 1830.

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Paris

15 Jun 2011

Lacklustre Tchaikovsky, but brilliant Thibaudet

By Tom Hancox

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L’OPMC et Pablo Ferrández sous le soleil de Saint-Saëns et Strauss

By Manon Decroix, 21 September 2025

Dans une atmosphère encore estivale, l'Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo et Kazuki Yamada ont livré un concert réjouissant, avec Pablo Ferrández en invité d'honneur dans Don Quichotte de Strauss.

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Monte-Carlo

21 Sep 2025

L’OPMC et Pablo Ferrández sous le soleil de Saint-Saëns et Strauss

By Manon Decroix

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Toulouse

Un fervent Requiem franco-japonais célèbre Fauré à Toulouse

By Emmanuel Gaillard, 09 October 2024

Kazuki Yamada, l'Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse et le Chœur Philharmonique de Tokyo ont livré un Requiem de Fauré plein de douceur et de ferveur contenue dans la sublime basilique Saint-Sernin.

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Toulouse

09 Oct 2024

Un fervent Requiem franco-japonais célèbre Fauré à Toulouse

By Emmanuel Gaillard

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Madrid

Lo cordial y lo risueño: Yamada y Ferrández interpretan Takemitsu, Walton y Franck

By Leonardo Mattana Ereño, 20 April 2024

Kazuki Yamada, al frente de la Orquesta Nacional de España, supo endulzar un criterio analítico y riguroso para lograr un sonido diáfano y cordial.

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Madrid

20 Apr 2024

Yamada y Ferrández desgranan Takemitsu, Walton y Franck

By Leonardo Mattana Ereño

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Les laborieuses Carmina Burana du National au Théâtre des Champs-Élysées

By Erwan Gentric, 25 January 2024

Des choix de tempos de Kazuki Yamada au manque de subtilité et de précision de l'Orchestre National de France, l'œuvre de Carl Orff n'a pas bénéficié de l'inspiration espérée.

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Paris

25 Jan 2024

Les laborieuses Carmina Burana du National au TCE

By Erwan Gentric

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Zurich

Erfolg für den Einspringer: Pianist Louis Schwizgebel mit dem CBSO in Zürich

By Thomas Schacher, 23 October 2023

Eklat bei der Schweizer Tournee des City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra: Starpianist Fazıl Say wurde wegen einer Israel-kritischen Äusserungen kurzfristig ausgeladen. Eine Chance für den Einspringer.

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Zurich

23 Oct 2023

Erfolg für den Einspringer: Louis Schwizgebel mit dem CBSO in Zürich

By Thomas Schacher

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Wozzeck à l’Opéra de Monte-Carlo : l’hystérie sublimée

By Manon Decroix, 27 March 2022

L'œuvre de Berg était présentée pour la première fois en Principauté, avec une distribution efficace et une mise en scène fascinante signée Michel Fau.

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Monte-Carlo

27 Mar 2022

Wozzeck à l’Opéra de Monte-Carlo : l’hystérie sublimée

By Manon Decroix

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Truls Mørk et l’OPMC : hommage passionné au Prince Albert Ier

By Manon Decroix, 28 November 2021

Dans le cadre des commémorations entourant le centenaire du décès d'Albert Ier, l'OPMC a invité le violoncelliste norvégien pour un programme qui mettait en avant des compositeurs chers au prince.

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Monte-Carlo

28 Nov 2021

Truls Mørk et l’OPMC : hommage passionné au Prince Albert Ier

By Manon Decroix

Yamada et le National en désordre de bataille avant Kantorow

By Alain Lompech, 07 October 2021

Déception à Radio France où la disposition de l'orchestre et la direction peu subtile de Kazuki Yamada plombent la Symphonie de Chausson. Alexandre Kantorow sauve la soirée dans Saint-Saëns.

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Paris

07 Oct 2021

Yamada et le National en désordre de bataille avant Kantorow

By Alain Lompech

Erwin Schrott embrase La Damnation de Faust à Monte-Carlo

By Manon Decroix, 15 December 2019

Le baryton-basse incarne un parfait Méphistophélès au sein d'une distribution de luxe. Kazuki Yamada dirige un Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo très équilibré.

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Monte-Carlo

15 Dec 2019

Erwin Schrott embrase La Damnation de Faust à Monte-Carlo

By Manon Decroix

La consécration d’Elias à Monte-Carlo

By Tristan Labouret, 03 November 2019

Le splendide oratorio de Mendelssohn était donné pour la première fois dans la Principauté. Retour sur une soirée pleine de succès – malgré les faiblesses du rôle-titre.

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Monte-Carlo

03 Nov 2019

La consécration d’Elias à Monte-Carlo

By Tristan Labouret

L’ombre de Berlioz écrase Jarrell : Yamada étourdit la Philharmonie

By Tristan Labouret, 25 May 2019

Au sein d'un week-end consacré à Berlioz, le monumental Te Deum étourdit les auditeurs de la Philharmonie, écrasant la création du Concerto pour piano n° 2 de Jarrell par Chamayou.

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Paris

25 May 2019

L’ombre de Berlioz écrase Jarrell : Yamada étourdit la Philharmonie

By Tristan Labouret

L’Orchestre de la Suisse Romande fête joyeusement l’arrivée de l’été et l’esprit français !

By Thomas Muller, 22 June 2018

Kazuki Yamada conviait Genève à fêter l’esprit français au travers de symphonies de Bizet et Saint-Saëns. Bravo aux musiciens pour cette belle soirée !

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Geneva

22 Jun 2018

L’Orchestre de la Suisse Romande fête joyeusement l’arrivée de l’été

By Thomas Muller

Un Brahms sobre illumine le Victoria Hall sous les doigts de Francesco Piemontesi

By Thomas Muller, 05 October 2016

Une bien belle soirée au Victoria Hall qui aura trouvé son sommet dans le concerto pour piano de Brahms, servi impeccablement par Francesco Piemontesi, après quelques errements dans les méandres des fleuves russes.

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Geneva

05 Oct 2016

Un Brahms sobre: Francesco Piemontesi

By Thomas Muller

Soirées russes au Victoria Hall de Genève : Vadim Gluzman, un peu seul, a enflammé la nuit genevoise!

By Thomas Muller, 16 March 2016

Un bien beau concerto de Tchaïkovski par le divin Vadim Gluzman, malheureusement la tension ne vint pas du côté de Maestro Yamada qui nous fit louper le train pour la Sibérie…

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Geneva

16 Mar 2016

Soirées russes à Genève : Vadim Gluzman et l'OSR

By Thomas Muller