Two works of personal victory, written at virtually the same point in history and against a backdrop of suffering, made up this very successful concert conducted by Sir Andrew Davis.
2018Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2018-02-05UTC10:39:36+00:002018-02-03Two works of personal victory, written at virtually the same point in history and against a backdrop of suffering, made up this very successful concert conducted by Sir Andrew Davis. Totally committed Finzi and inspired Shostakovich from Sir Andrew Davis and the BBCSOen_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-finzi-shostakovich-watkins-davis-bbcso-barbican-february-2018Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngChris Garlickhttps://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/1504https://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/1504https://bachtrack.com/files/150-chris_garlick.jpgChris Garlick is the co-founder of Signal Gallery in Hoxton. His first degree was in music, training as a classical composer. Chris has written about art frequently in Art of England magazine, Artist and Illustrator for online blogs.https://bachtrack.com/files/76017-watkins-paul-pc-nina-large-c-300-crop-resized.jpg510340Paul WatkinsNina Large2018-Feb-02, Barbican Hall: Sir Andrew Davis conducts Finzi & Shostakovichhttps://bachtrack.com/concert-listing/barbican-hall/sir-andrew-davis-conducts-finzi-shostakovich/02-february-2018/19-302018-02-022018-02-02Barbican HallLondonGreater LondonUnited KingdomEC2Y 8DSSilk Street51.519879294526-0.091710090637207https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/emnj5v?utm_medium=display&utm_source=bachtrack.comhttps://bachtrack.com/files/63167-180202-darioacostaphotography.jpg4
2016Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2016-12-03UTC21:23:38+00:002016-12-03Three English composers receive fine performances from the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.Joyful noise: Walton’s mighty Belshazzar’s Feast in Cardiffen_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-walton-belshazzar-brabbins-little-watkins-davies-bbcnow-december-2016Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngAndrew Morrishttps://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/22738https://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/22738https://bachtrack.com/files/46274-andrew-morris.jpgAndrew is a writer and teacher whose work has appeared in The Strad and International Record Review. He is particularly interested in Russian music and the violin. He also writes about music at his blog Devil's Trill and can also be found on Twitter at @devilstrillblog.https://bachtrack.com/files/49826-martyn-brabbins-066-credit-benjamin-ealovega-resized.jpg510340Martyn BrabbinsBenjamin Ealovega2016-Dec-01, St David's Hall: Belshazzar's Feasthttps://bachtrack.com/concert-listing/st-davids-hall/belshazzars-feast/01-december-2016/19-302016-12-012016-12-01St David's HallCardiffWalesUnited KingdomCF10 2DP51.480073286561-3.17646503448486http://www.bbc.co.uk/events/ebfwhn?utm_medium=display&utm_source=bachtrack.com4
Bright and energetic Walton and a promising, highly lyrical Concerto from Watkins, followed by taut Webern and commanding Brahms from Søndergård and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.
2016Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2016-08-15UTC11:19:52+00:002016-08-14Bright and energetic Walton and a promising, highly lyrical Concerto from Watkins, followed by taut Webern and commanding Brahms from Søndergård and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.Prom 37: Webern, Brahms and a Watkins première from Søndergård and BBC NOWen_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-prom-37-bbc-now-sondergard-watkins-august-2016Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngNick Bostonhttps://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/16655https://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/16655https://bachtrack.com/files/268-nick_boston.jpgNick has an MA in Music, specialising in performance and repertoire. His particular passions are choral music, chamber music and opera, with a particular interest in early music. He sings in a number of choirs in the south east of England, plays the piano and occasionally dusts off the violin. He writes about music here. https://bachtrack.com/files/44092-prom-35-cr-bbc-mark-allan-1.jpg510340Thomas Søndergård conducts the BBC National Orchestra of WalesBBC|Mark Allan2016-Aug-12, Royal Albert Hall: Prom 37: BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Thomas Søndergårdhttps://bachtrack.com/concert-listing/royal-albert-hall/prom-37-bbc-national-orchestra-of-wales-and-thomas-sondergard/12-august-2016/19-302016-08-122016-08-12Royal Albert HallLondonGreater LondonUnited KingdomSW7 2APKensington Gore51.5014299260821-0.17751932144165http://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/proms/proms-2016/prom-37-bbc-national-orchestra-of-wales-and-thomas-sondergard/?utm_medium=display&utm_source=bachtrack.comhttps://bachtrack.com/files/78814-artwork-for-events--1-.jpg3
Detlev Glanert's homage to Johannes Brahms as a curtain-raiser to Paul Watkins' performance of Haydn's C major cello concerto and a welcome anticipation of Brahms' first symphony conducted by Semyon Bychkov.
2016Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2016-01-13UTC10:28:37+00:002016-01-13Detlev Glanert's homage to Johannes Brahms as a curtain-raiser to Paul Watkins' performance of Haydn's C major cello concerto and a welcome anticipation of Brahms' first symphony conducted by Semyon Bychkov.Work in progress: Bychkov, Watkins and the BBCSOen_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-watkins-bychkov-bbcso-barbican-london-january-2016Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngAlexander Hallhttps://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/11347https://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/11347https://bachtrack.com/files/202-alexander_hall.jpgAlexander Hall divides his time between London and Hamburg, having spent a lifetime writing in some form or other: fiction, academic research, educational materials and professional translations. He has been an avid concert-goer from his teenage years with fond memories of many of the giants of the past, including Klemperer, Karajan, Böhm, Bernstein and Carlos Kleiber. For him the symphony orchestra is one of the greatest artistic creations of all time.https://bachtrack.com/files/32923-paul_watkins_paul_marc_mitchell_resized.jpg300450Paul WatkinsPaul Marc Mitchell2016-Jan-12, Barbican Hall: BBC Symphony Orchestra/Bychkovhttps://bachtrack.com/concert-listing/barbican-hall/bbc-symphony-orchestrabychkov/12-january-2016/19-302016-01-122016-01-12Barbican HallLondonGreater LondonUnited KingdomEC2Y 8DSSilk Street51.519879294526-0.091710090637207http://www.barbican.org.uk/music/event-detail.asp?utm_medium=display&utm_source=bachtrack.com&ID=17495https://bachtrack.com/files/18762-barbican.jpg3
The Nash Ensemble toasted its golden anniversary with a selection of golden French repertoire – some of it more familiar in orchestral form – at its Wigmore Hall gala.
2014Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2014-10-19UTC20:19:08+00:002014-10-19The Nash Ensemble toasted its golden anniversary with a selection of golden French repertoire – some of it more familiar in orchestral form – at its Wigmore Hall gala.Finest French fare to mark the Nash Ensemble’s 50th anniversary en_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-nash-ensemble-royal-wigmore-october-2014Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngMark Pullingerhttps://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/15668https://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/15668https://bachtrack.com/files/218-1097_4423_markpullinger.jpgMark is one of Bachtrack’s editors and Chair of the Music Section of The Critics' Circle. An experienced opera critic, with a passion for Verdi, he can often be found propping up a standing place at the ROH. He also reviews concerts and dance, with a particular love for Russian and French repertoire. Mark contributes to Gramophone and Opera magazines and blogs at Beckmesser's Quill. https://bachtrack.com/files/6972-nash_ensemble_hanya_chlala.jpg510340Hanya Chlala/ArenaPAL2014-Oct-18, Wigmore Hall: Nash Ensemble; Kate Royalhttps://bachtrack.com/listing-nash-ensemble-royal-wigmore-october-20142014-10-182014-10-18Wigmore HallLondonGreater LondonUnited KingdomW1U 2BP36 Wigmore Street51.5165679060013-0.1483583450317384
Cellist Louisa Tuck and the Royal Northern Sinfonia, with guest conductor Paul Watkins, deliver a lyrical and coherent interpretation of Britten's complex Cello Symphony.
2014Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2014-03-07UTC16:44:19+00:002014-03-07Cellist Louisa Tuck and the Royal Northern Sinfonia, with guest conductor Paul Watkins, deliver a lyrical and coherent interpretation of Britten's complex Cello Symphony.It's not just the Schubert which is “Great” at The Sageen_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-watkins-sage-march-2014Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngJane Shuttleworthhttps://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/2331https://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/2331https://bachtrack.com/files/40598-jane-bachtrack.jpgJane Shuttleworth is a choral singer and recorder player, and specialises in Renaissance, baroque and modern music. She lives in Durham and runs a local music listings, news and reviews site Music in Durhamhttps://bachtrack.com/files/4518-royal_northern_sinfonia_mark_savage.jpg500281Royal Northern SinfoniaMark Savage2014-Mar-06, Sage One: Schubert's Greathttps://bachtrack.com/concert-listing/sage-one/schuberts-great/06-march-2014/19-302014-03-062014-03-06Sage Gateshead: Sage OneGatesheadNorth-EastUnited KingdomNE8 2JRSt Mary's Square,Gateshead Quays54.967760876632-1.6019439697265625http://thesagegateshead.org/event/northern-sinfonia-06-03-14/?utm_medium=display&utm_source=bachtrack.com4
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.
2013Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2013-11-07UTC16:49:27+00:002013-08-27Ed Whitney reviews The English Chamber Orchestra at the Cadogan Hall playing Britten and Lutoslawski with soloists Ben Johnson and Richard WatkinsProm Saturday Matinee 4: English Chamber Orchestra with Ben Johnson and Richard Watkinsen_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-psm-4-bbc-proms-213-english-chamber-orchestra-sellingers-roundBachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngEdward Whitneyhttps://bachtrack.com/files/2981-c77559e5_b323_45fa_a5ac_750690de4661.jpg400400Ben Johnson Chris Gloag2013-Aug-24, Cadogan Hall: Proms Saturday Matinée 4https://bachtrack.com/listing-psm-4-bbc-proms-213-english-chamber-orchestra-sellingers-round2013-08-242013-08-24Cadogan HallLondonGreater LondonUnited KingdomSW1X 9DQ5 Sloane Terrace51.4937889-0.157349http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms?utm_medium=display&utm_source=bachtrack.comhttps://bachtrack.com/files/78814-artwork-for-events--1-.jpg3
Thankfully, when it comes to classical music, programmes around the theme of death tend to make highly energetic evenings. The eighth Prom of this year was no exception, as Thomas Adès led the BBC Symphony Orchestra in the world première of his new work Totentanz, but not after performances of two similarly themed works: Britten’s Sinfonia da Requiem and Lutoslawski’s Cello Concerto.
2013Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2013-11-07UTC16:47:29+00:002013-07-19Renée Reitsma reviews the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Thomas Adès, Watkins, Keenlyside and Stotijn in Britten, Lutoslawski and Adès at Prom 8.Prom 8: Britten, Lutosławski, and Adès' Dance of Deathen_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-bbc-prom-8-2013-ades-totentanzBachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngRenée Reitsmahttps://bachtrack.com/files/2840-prom_8_cr_bbc_chris_christodoulou_3.jpg400400Thomas Adès conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra at the BBC Proms BBC/Chris Christodoulou2013-Jul-17, Royal Albert Hall: Prom 8https://bachtrack.com/listing-bbc-prom-8-2013-ades-totentanz2013-07-172013-07-17Royal Albert HallLondonGreater LondonUnited KingdomSW7 2APKensington Gore51.5014299260821-0.17751932144165http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms?utm_medium=display&utm_source=bachtrack.comhttps://bachtrack.com/files/78814-artwork-for-events--1-.jpg4
Tonight’s concert with the Emerson String Quartet at the Montreal Chamber Music Festival was a truly special event. After 34 years, the world famous, multiple Grammy-winning quartet has made its first personnel change. Tonight marked their very first concert with their new cellist Paul Watkins.
2013Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2013-11-07UTC16:45:18+00:002013-05-31Andrew Crust reviews the Emerson String Quartet playing Haydn, Bartok and Beethoven at St. George's Church, Montreal Chamber Music Festival.The Emerson String Quartet performs their first concert with new cellist Paul Watkinsen_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-montreal-chamber-music-festival-emerson-quartet-paul-watkinsBachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngAndrew Crusthttps://bachtrack.com/files/2692-esq_with_pw_color__3000x1979_.jpg400400Emerson String Quartet with cellist Paul Watkins Lisa-Marie Mazzucco2013-May-30, St George's Church: Emerson String Quartet, Passing the Torchhttps://bachtrack.com/concert-listing/st-georges-church-5699/emerson-string-quartet-passing-the-torch/30-may-2013/20-002013-05-302013-05-30St George's ChurchMontrealQuebecCanadaH3B 2S21101 Rue Stanley45.4976307-73.5694148http://festivalmontreal.org/festival/en/30MayE?utm_medium=display&utm_source=bachtrack.comhttps://bachtrack.com/files/12906-emerson.jpg5
The Nash Ensembles' "Echoes of Romanticism" series at the Wigmore Hall, of which this concert was a part, is not really an exploration of romanticism as such, but rather a charting of the rise and fall of Teutonic music between Mozart and Schoenberg.
2012Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2013-11-07UTC16:23:18+00:002012-02-13Capriccio reviews the Nash Ensemble with Felicity Lott playing Mozart, Strauss and Wagner at the Wigmore Hall.Echoes of Romanticism: the Nash Ensemble at Wigmore Hall play Mozart, Wagner and Straussen_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-nash-ensemble-lott-wagner-mozart-straussBachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngCapricciohttps://bachtrack.com/files/1021-nash_ensemble___c__hanya_chlala__arenapal.jpg400400Nash Ensemble, Hanya Chlala/ArenaPAL2012-Feb-11, Wigmore Hall: Nash Ensemble with Felicity Lotthttps://bachtrack.com/listing-nash-ensemble-lott-wagner-mozart-strauss2012-02-112012-02-11Wigmore HallLondonGreater LondonUnited KingdomW1U 2BP36 Wigmore Street51.5165679060013-0.1483583450317384
It sounds almost like heresy to describe a Beethoven composition as “light”, but it would be appropriate for the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra’s concert on Saturday. His Symphony No. 6 in F, Op. 68, Pastoral, was like soufflé to the crème brûlée of Elgar’s Cello Concerto and Wagner’s Tannhäuser overture.
2011Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2013-11-07UTC16:20:58+00:002011-10-25Alan Yu feels chastened by the HK Philharmonic in an evening of Beethoven, Elgar and WagnerBeethoven, Elgar and Wagner with the Hong Kong Philharmonic in soul-cleansing eveningen_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-beethoven-elgar-wagner-hkpoBachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngAlan Yuhttps://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/147https://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/147https://bachtrack.com/files/40588-alan-yu.jpgThe first concert Alan attended was Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde. For 7 years he presented classical music programmes for Radio Television Hong Kong, partly to pay his way through university. He attends concerts whenever he can and believes there is no substitute for the thrill of live performances. He writes here.https://bachtrack.com/files/784-paul_watkins_6_c_nina_large.jpg400400Paul Watkins Nina Large2011-Oct-22, Hong Kong Cultural Centre: Concert Hall: Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestrahttps://bachtrack.com/listing-beethoven-elgar-wagner-hkpo2011-10-222011-10-22Hong Kong Cultural Centre: Concert HallHong KongHong KongChina10 Salisburg Road,Tsim Sha Tsui,Kowloon22.294318114.1717083