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Ligeti in context: Ensemble 360 offers a superb centenary tribute

By Phil Parker, 30 September 2023

A centenary celebration of György Ligeti from Ensemble 360 in a concert of vibrant 20th-century music from Eastern Europe.

****1

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****1

Sheffield

02 Oct 2023

Ligeti in context: Ensemble 360 offers a superb centenary tribute

By Phil Parker

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Berlin

Guggeis brings sensitivity to Strauss at the Staatsoper Berlin

By Edward Sava-Segal, 06 May 2023

A young conductor and a venerable orchestra unite in Berlin for three 20th-century works, covering vastly different soundscapes.

****1

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****1

Berlin

08 May 2023

Guggeis brings sensitivity to Strauss at the Staatsoper Berlin

By Edward Sava-Segal

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Berlin

Demonic possession: Vladimir Jurowski conducts Prokofiev with panache in Berlin

By Edward Sava-Segal, 05 May 2023

Celebrating its centenary the orchestra and its chief conductor proposed a programme consisting of works (mostly) composed in the last 100 years.

****1

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****1

Berlin

06 May 2023

Vladimir Jurowski conducts the Berlin RSO with panache

By Edward Sava-Segal

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Boston

Polish primer: Canellakis, Benedetti and the BSO play Szymanowski and Lutosławski

By Kevin Wells, 21 January 2023

Virtuosity infused with a tension which became almost unbearable

****1

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****1

Boston

24 Jan 2023

A Polish primer from Canellakis, Benedetti and the BSO

By Kevin Wells

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Liverpool

Remarkable Schumann and thrilling Tchaikovsky from Domingo Hindoyan and the RLPO

By Rohan Shotton, 14 January 2023

Víkingur Ólafsson proves a sensational replacement for Daniel Barenboim with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in Schumann's Piano Concerto in A minor.

****1

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****1

Liverpool

15 Jan 2023

Remarkable Schumann, thrilling Tchaikovsky from Hindoyan and the RLPO

By Rohan Shotton

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London

From Poles to Rocks: superb musicianship from the ACO and the Guildhall School

By David Karlin, 29 October 2022

The Australian Chamber Orchestra brings music from Indie rock stars and the Polish composers who inspired them, with superb contributions from Guildhall students.

****1

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****1

London

30 Oct 2022

From Poles to Rocks: superb musicianship from the ACO

By David Karlin

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Seattle

Reliable values and a thrilling discovery: Seattle SO with Hilary Hahn and Alpesh Chauhan

By Thomas May, 20 October 2022

Hilary Hahn and Brahms are the big name draws, but Seattle Symphony's program introduces a remarkable young conductor who makes a powerful impact.

****1

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****1

Seattle

21 Oct 2022

Reliable values and a thrilling discovery from the Seattle Symphony

By Thomas May

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Pärnu

The Estonian Festival Orchestra covers itself in glory at the Pärnu Music Festival

By Alexander Hall, 16 July 2022

In a programme of Lutosławski, Richard Strauss and Tchaikovsky conducted by Paavo Järvi, there are no weak links in the playing of the EFO and Stefan Dohr’s versatility on the horn is once again on display.

*****

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*****

Pärnu

17 Jul 2022

Estonian Festival Orchestra covers itself in glory in Pärnu

By Alexander Hall

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Prague

Jakub Hrůša and the Czech Philharmonic celebrate 32 years of freedom

By Frank Kuznik, 17 November 2021

Two luminaries of the new generation of Czech talent bring a fresh spirit to a vibrant commemorative concert.

****1

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****1

Prague

18 Nov 2021

Jakub Hrůša and the Czech Philharmonic celebrate 32 years of freedom

By Frank Kuznik

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Philadelphia

Karina Canellakis makes impressive Philadelphia debut

By Linda Holt, 08 February 2020

Emanuel Ax plays Beethoven's Second Piano Concerto and works by Di Castri and Lutosławski round out the program.

*****

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*****

Philadelphia

09 Feb 2020

Karina Canellakis makes impressive Philadelphia debut

By Linda Holt

London

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

****1

London

13 Aug 2019

Bluster and conviction from Argerich and Barenboim

By Mark Thomas

Glasgow

Rambert's Life is a Dream disappoints in Glasgow

By Kirsty Morgan, 14 February 2019

The striking set, brooding music, captivating costumes and troupe of highly-talented dancers promise a great evening, but Rambert’s mysterious dreamscape leaves audiences more confused than intrigued.

**111

**111

Glasgow

15 Feb 2019

Rambert's Life is a Dream disappoints in Glasgow

By Kirsty Morgan

Glasgow

Utterly thrilling: Prelude – Skydiving from a Dream from Scottish Ensemble and Andersson Dance

By David Smythe, 10 November 2018

Prelude – Skydiving from a Dream from Scottish Ensemble and Andersson Dance: mesmeric choreographed Bach and Lutosławski with a blistering performance of Beethoven’s Grosse Fugue played from memory and on the move. Thrilling, daring and exciting.

*****

*****

Glasgow

12 Nov 2018

Utterly thrilling: Prelude – Skydiving from a Dream

By David Smythe

Berlin

Restless spirits: a programme of Lutosławski and Brahms

By Zenaida des Aubris, 18 October 2018

Paavo Järvi and the Berlin Philharmonic in excellent renditions of seminal works of the 19th and 20th centuries.

*****

*****

Berlin

21 Oct 2018

Restless spirits: a programme of Lutosławski and Brahms

By Zenaida des Aubris

Manchester

Finding the balance? Psappha with Ligeti, Kurtág and more at Stoller Hall

By Hugh Morris, 27 September 2018

Finding wit and introspection with Psappha in their 2018/19 season opener

***11

***11

Manchester

28 Sep 2018

Finding the balance? Psappha with Ligeti, Kurtág and more

By Hugh Morris

London

Not with a whimper but a bang: the LPO, Adès and Gerstein launch the new season

By Alexander Hall, 26 September 2018

Commendably fine playing from the LPO conducted by Thomas Adès, and with Kirill Gerstein as soloist, three less than familiar works throw up overwhelming volumes of energy.

****1

****1

London

27 Sep 2018

Not with a whimper but a bang

By Alexander Hall

Hamburg

A celebratory platter of Polish music in the Elbphilharmonie

By Alexander Hall, 10 September 2018

The Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Alexander Liebreich and soloist Szymon Nehring serve up works by four Polish composers in celebration of the centenary of Poland regaining its national independence.

***11

***11

Hamburg

11 Sep 2018

A celebratory platter of Polish music in the Elbphilharmonie

By Alexander Hall

London

The Berliner Philharmoniker hits the heights of rapture with Brahms 1

By David Karlin, 31 May 2018

Jörg Widmann's wicked sense of humour starts proceedings before the clearest of Brahms readings, underpinned by extraordinary orchestral precision.

****1

****1

London

01 Jun 2018

Rapturous Brahms 1 from the Berlin Phil

By David Karlin

London

Brandstrup's Life is a Dream for Rambert premieres at Sadler's Wells

By Graham Watts, 23 May 2018

A meandering maze of tangled ideas expressed in a stylish film noir atmosphere.

***11

***11

London

28 May 2018

Life is a Dream: A full length work for Rambert

By Graham Watts

Lyon

Mature musicality and seasoned virtuosity from Jan Lisiecki and Krzysztof Urbański in Lyon

By Jonathan Sutherland, 10 February 2018

With a pianist of the calibre of Jan Lisiecki, Krzysztof Urbański has created an award winning collaboration which puts the two Poles way apart from many other soloist-conductor combinations.

****1

****1

Lyon

12 Feb 2018

Mature musicality and seasoned virtuosity from Jan Lisiecki and Krzysztof Urbański in Lyon

By Jonathan Sutherland

Warsaw

A musical celebration of Polish Independence by the Warsaw Philharmonic

By Julia Jędrzejczak, 27 January 2018

Warsaw Philharmonic celebrates the 100th anniversary of Polish independence with performances of great local composers – Lutoslawski, Szymanowski and Szabelski – and Debussy’s La Mer for good measure.

****1

****1

Warsaw

29 Jan 2018

A musical celebration of Polish Independence

By Julia Jędrzejczak

London

Impressive line-up graces the London Piano Festival

By Frances Wilson, 07 October 2017

Still only in its second year, the London Piano Festival has already established itself as a major player in the capital’s music scene.

*****

*****

London

09 Oct 2017

Impressive line-up at the London Piano Festival

By Frances Wilson

London

Prom 68: Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky keep the Red Flag flying

By Mark Pullinger, 03 September 2017

“Our business is rejoicing, our business is rejoicing.” In the Soviet Union, composers quickly learnt when to toe the Party line.

****1

****1

London

04 Sep 2017

Gergiev and the Mariinsky keep the Red Flag flying

By Mark Pullinger

London

Cello unwrapped: from Baroque'n'roll to contemporary at Kings Place

By Marthe Lisson, 17 June 2017

Leonard Elschenbroich joined with the 12 ensemble for an evening dedicated to the Suite italienne, a stroll through time though with a focus on contemporary composers.

***11

***11

London

19 Jun 2017

From Baroque'n'roll to contemporary at Kings Place

By Marthe Lisson

Poole

Luminous Lutosławski from Kirill Karabits and the Bournemouth Symphony

By Gavin Dixon, 15 February 2017

Karabits leads an adventurous programme at the BSO’s Poole home, with flamboyant violinist Nemanja Radulović on surprisingly refined form in the Barber Concerto.

***11

***11

Poole

16 Feb 2017

Luminous Lutosławski from Karabits and the BSO

By Gavin Dixon

Dublin

Fresh, exciting interpretations of modern music: an atypical Friday night in Dublin

By Andrew Larkin, 27 January 2017

Helena Wood makes Lutoslawski's Partita sizzle while the Con Tempo Quartet give a fascinating account of Liget's Métamorphoses nocturnes.

****1

****1

Dublin

29 Jan 2017

Fresh, exciting interpretations of modern music

By Andrew Larkin

Chicago

Salonen and Ma lead the CSO to the end of the millennium

By Sam Jacobson, 01 March 2016

An eclectic program under Esa-Pekka Salonen's baton, highlighted by Lutosławski’s watershed Third Symphony and a Shostakovich concerto with Yo-Yo Ma.

****1

****1

Chicago

06 Mar 2016

Salonen and Ma lead the CSO to the end of the millennium

By Sam Jacobson

Leeds

Richard Farnes conducts a triumphant Mahler’s First Symphony in Leeds

By Julia Zupancic, 05 December 2015

Under the baton of Richard Farnes, the Orchestra of Opera North performed Lutosławski and Mahler in Leeds Town Hall.

****1

****1

Leeds

06 Dec 2015

A triumphant Mahler’s First Symphony in Leeds

By Julia Zupancic

Tallinn

Ansemble Sepia: Zooming Estonia

By Gavin Dixon, 11 April 2015

Radical new music doesn’t always have to be presented with a straight face, as demonstrated by the Polish Ansambel Sepia in Tallinn.

Tallinn

13 Apr 2015

Ansemble Sepia: Zooming Estonia

By Gavin Dixon

Paris

Crossing the Baltic Sea with Captain Kristjan Järvi

By Leopold Tobisch, 31 March 2015

Leopold Tobisch's future expectations have been raised to a dizzying high by Kristjan Järvi and the Baltic Sea Youth Philharmonic at the Theatre des Champs Elysées.

****1

****1

Paris

02 Apr 2015

Crossing the Baltic Sea with Captain Kristjan Järvi

By Leopold Tobisch

Birmingham

Energetic evening of Mahler, Lutosławski and Prokoviev from the CBSO Youth Orchestra

By Katherine Dixson, 22 February 2015

Exuberant enthusiasm from the CBSO Youth Orchestra in a mighty programme of Lutosławski, Prokofiev and Mahler.

****1

****1

Birmingham

23 Feb 2015

Energetic evening from the CBSO Youth Orchestra

By Katherine Dixson

Houston

Water sprites and revolution: Houston Symphony delivers gloriously

By Sydney Boyd, 17 January 2015

Who would have thought a program of water sprites and revolutions spanning 200 years could be so seamless?

***11

***11

Houston

18 Jan 2015

Water sprites and revolution in Houston

By Sydney Boyd

Amsterdam

A stellar selection of rhapsodies from Mariss Jansons at the Concertgebouw

By Sarah Batschelet, 21 December 2014

In Amsterdam, Mariss Jansons conducts the Concertgebouw orchestra in a selection of six stunning rhapsodies for large orchestra.

****1

****1

Amsterdam

22 Dec 2014

A stellar selection of rhapsodies at the Concertgebouw

By Sarah Batschelet

Rotterdam

Sensational debut of Gimeno and Giltburg with the RPHO

By David Pinedo, 28 November 2014

In an exciting programme of Prokofiev, Penderecki and Lutoslawski, two musicians debuted with the Rotterdam Philharmonic. Both impressed greatly.

****1

****1

Rotterdam

30 Nov 2014

Sensational debut of Gimeno and Giltburg with the RPHO

By David Pinedo

Milan

An architectural feat from the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra at MITO Milan

By James Imam, 21 September 2014

The all-Polish roster of Krystian Zimerman and the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra displayed consummate artistry in a tenebrous programme of Lutosławski and Brahms.

****1

****1

Milan

23 Sep 2014

Zimerman / Polish National Radio Symphony at MITO

By James Imam

London

National Youth Orchestra dazzles in Stravinsky and Lutosławski with Edward Gardner at the Proms

By David Truslove, 10 August 2014

Edward Gardner directs the National Youth Orchestra’s annual prom performance in an exhilarating Russian and Polish programme.

****1

****1

London

12 Aug 2014

National Youth Orchestra dazzles at the Proms

By David Truslove

Gateshead

A musical embrace from John Casken and the Royal Northern Sinfonia

By Jane Shuttleworth, 08 April 2014

Composer John Casken presents two of his own pieces, and works by his friends and mentors Toru Takemitsu and Witold Lutosławski in a Royal Northern Sinfonia Late Mix concert at Sage Gateshead.

****1

****1

Gateshead

09 Apr 2014

A musical embrace from John Casken and the Royal Northern Sinfonia

By Jane Shuttleworth

Edinburgh

Electrifying energy: Tortelier conducts the RSNO with Benedetti and Elsenbroich

By Alan Coady, 13 December 2013

If every workplace could undergo a team-building exercise like Lutosławski’s Concerto for Orchestra, the world would be a happier place. The Royal Scottish National Orchestra’s performance under Yan Pascal Tortelier was unbelievably energetic.

****1

****1

Edinburgh

15 Dec 2013

Tortelier conducts the RSNO

By Alan Coady

London

Britten Sinfonia enthral at Wigmore Hall

By Penny Homer, 11 December 2013

Britten Sinfonia provide a lunchtime chamber music treat at Wigmore Hall, with music by Sally Beamish, Witold Lutosławski, Mozart and Fauré.

****1

****1

London

12 Dec 2013

Britten Sinfonia enthral at Wigmore Hall

By Penny Homer

London

Rampant nihilism: The LPO and Michail Jurowski in Ligeti, Lutosławski and Schnittke

By Chris Garlick, 30 October 2013

The London Philharmonic Orchestra certainly pulled out all the stops with a Rest is Noise programme that, in theory, should have scared the horses half to death. A concert of three large orchestral works from height of the 1960/70s avant garde, and featuring composers from behind the Iron Curtain to boot, is a very rare beast indeed.

****1

****1

London

01 Nov 2013

Rampant nihilism: The LPO and Michail Jurowski in Ligeti, Lutosławski and Schnittke

By Chris Garlick

Toronto

Janina Fialkowska and the Toronto Symphony's adventure with Lutosławski's Piano Concerto

By Stanley Fefferman, 26 October 2013

James Gaffigan advised the audience about to hear him conduct Witold Lutosławki’s Piano Concerto to back off like you would from an Impressionist painting, in order to get an impression of the whole. When you do so, it’s a very romantic work. Otherwise, the score resembles ‘a science experiment’ because parts of it are notated without bars and cannot be conducted.

***11

***11

Toronto

28 Oct 2013

Janina Fialkowska and the Toronto Symphony's adventure with Lutosławski's Piano Concerto

By Stanley Fefferman

New York City

The 5 Browns: More than Just 5 Pianos

By Kay Kempin, 18 October 2013

Rarely does one see five grand pianos in one room, let alone on one stage. Enter the 5 Browns, a classical piano quintet. Siblings and Juilliard graduates – they were the first family to be enrolled at the Juilliard School simultaneously – it is clear this family has talent. Performing individually and together, this young ensemble has a vivacious and affable approach to classical music.

****1

****1

New York City

21 Oct 2013

The 5 Browns: More than Just 5 Pianos

By Kay Kempin

Berlin

Second time around: Alan Gilbert and the Berliner Philharmoniker at Musikfest Berlin

By Dan Wang, 12 September 2013

After Simon Rattle blazed into the Philharmonie last week with big hits like Mahler’s Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen, Janáček’s Glagolitic Mass, and (somewhat less of a big hit) Lutosławski’s Second Symphony, Alan Gilbert, normally to be found on a podium in front of the New York Philharmonic, returned with the same band on Thursday to play lesser-known pieces in the repertoire: Janáček’s violin

***11

***11

Berlin

16 Sep 2013

Second time around: Alan Gilbert and the Berliner Philharmoniker at Musikfest Berlin

By Dan Wang

Berlin

Nights and fantasies: Esa-Pekka Salonen and the Philharmonia Orchestra at Musikfest Berlin

By Dan Wang, 09 September 2013

A night drawn mostly from a gentler range of sounds, some more familiar, some stranger. Esa-Pekka Salonen and the Philharmonia Orchestra London brought classics from Debussy and Ravel to the Philharmonie in Berlin, and paired them with two works by Lutosławski: the intricate and incredible Third Symphony, and Les espaces du sommeil, something between a monodrama and a song accompanied by orchestra

****1

****1

Berlin

11 Sep 2013

Nights and fantasies: Esa-Pekka Salonen and the Philharmonia Orchestra at Musikfest Berlin

By Dan Wang

Berlin

Force and litheness: Simon Rattle and the Berliner Philharmoniker at Musikfest Berlin

By Dan Wang, 07 September 2013

The Berliner Philharmoniker may be the world’s business-savviest orchestra. From the handsome program booklets printed on thick, color-rich stock (3€ instead of the customary 2€), to the Sony-sponsored Digital Concert Hall (where one can buy “tickets” to access past and present BP videos), even down to the gold trim on my ticket, this orchestra amply demonstrates its awareness of its reputation as

****1

****1

Berlin

09 Sep 2013

Force and litheness: Simon Rattle and the Berliner Philharmoniker at Musikfest Berlin

By Dan Wang

Berlin

Concertos for orchestra: Jansons and Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra at Musikfest Berlin

By Dan Wang, 06 September 2013

If the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra is the Porsche of orchestras, then Mariss Jansons is something like the Michael Schumacher of conductors, guiding this most-celebrated of German radio orchestras through some of the most precipitous and heart-stopping shifts in speed I have witnessed.

****1

****1

Berlin

09 Sep 2013

Concertos for orchestra: Jansons and Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra at Musikfest Berlin

By Dan Wang

Berlin

Bronfman and Gatti: The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra at Musikfest Berlin

By Dan Wang, 04 September 2013

It is the rare concert for which one can say that each half of the program would have sufficed as the sole offering of the night; when each half contains personality, wisdom, a sense of history, life-risking music-making, and attractive and important repertoire.

*****

*****

Berlin

09 Sep 2013

Bronfman and Gatti: The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra at Musikfest Berlin

By Dan Wang

Berlin

Anne-Sophie Mutter and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in Musikfest Berlin's opening night

By Dan Wang, 31 August 2013

An excellent orchestra and a rather grab-bag program officially opened the 2013 Musikfest Berlin last night. The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and its music director, Manfred Honeck, are currently on a European tour, and the audience at the Philharmonie rewarded their long trek with abundant applause, necessitating two encores.

***11

***11

Berlin

02 Sep 2013

Anne-Sophie Mutter and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in Musikfest Berlin's opening night

By Dan Wang

London

Prom Saturday Matinee 4: English Chamber Orchestra with Ben Johnson and Richard Watkins

By Edward Whitney, 24 August 2013

When a programme is well put together and nicely themed, it is quite easy to turn one’s attention away from the sound of music, and onto the history of music. PCM 4 at Cadogan Hall was breezily introduced by the BBC compere as a programme marking Britten’s centenary, exploring his relationship with his peers, and celebrating his friend Lutoslawski. Yes, it did all that.

***11

***11

London

27 Aug 2013

Prom Saturday Matinee 4: English Chamber Orchestra with Ben Johnson and Richard Watkins

By Edward Whitney

London

Prom 55: The Warsaw Philharmonic's Proms debut celebrates Lutosławski centenary

By Carla Finesilver, 23 August 2013

Surprisingly, this was the Warsaw Philharmonic’s first visit to the Proms, invited as part of this year’s focus on Polish music. About time too, one might say, and particularly so with it being both Lutosławski’s centenary year (and almost Panufnik’s too, shy by a year), and this the farewell concert of outgoing Artistic Director of twelve years, Antoni Wit.

***11

***11

London

26 Aug 2013

Prom 55: The Warsaw Philharmonic's Proms debut celebrates Lutosławski centenary

By Carla Finesilver