Live, Video: Find classical music concert, opera, ballet and dance reviews | Violin Concerto no. 2, Op.61

Virtuosity infused with a tension which became almost unbearable

Nicola Benedetti dazzled in Szymanowski's Violin Concerto no 2 after the Hallé and Sir Mark Elder had impressed  with a colourful Fountains of Rome. Measured Brahms completed the programme.

Elgar, Szymanowski and Vaughan Williams may not be obvious concert companions, but with remarkable music-making these three sit beautifully together to make a special evening.

The Cleveland Orchestra and Franz Welser-Möst turn in a mixed program in two senses at Carnegie Hall, with repertoire spanning over three centuries and performances that range from the sublime to the tedious.

Vassily Sinaisky leads the BBC Philharmonic through the murky worlds of Myaskovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov and Szymaowski

Vitality and contrast characterised Jordan's memorable performance of a colourful and passionate Slavic programme

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.

A crowd-pleaser is joined by a Szymanowski rarity to close the TSO's season. 

Despite the burbling streams with which Smetana's Vltava trickles into life, this was no pastoral stroll on the gentle slopes of Bohemia, Hungary and Poland.

A dream come true - Nicola Benedetti, Vladimir Jurowski and the LPO find every corner of a bold programme of Debussy, Szymanowski and Bartok to open their new season at the RFH.

The heady combination of the Scottish première of James MacMillan’s Little Mass, Nicola Benedetti playing Szymanowski 2 and the drama of Berlioz Symphonie fantistique was an evening to remember.

Nicola Benedetti impresses a packed Birmingham Symphony Hall with her commanding performance of Szymanowski's second violin concerto in a thrilling programme with the CBSO.

Soloist Barnabas Kelemen impresses in Szymanowski's Violin Concerto no. 2, while conductor Alexander Shelley impresses with a chirpy Classical Symphony and a brooding Walton First Symphony.

In an interview with Charlie Rose a couple of years ago, Sir Simon Rattle made the startling comment that conductors only become “competent” after they turn 60.

The first half of the 20th century must surely be one of the most richly creative periods in history. This was a time of great social and political change, spearheaded by two most devastating wars that saw death and destruction on a new level of cold efficiency.

On Tuesday night at Cadogan Hall near Sloane Square the audience was treated to an expertly mastered programme of 20th century Polish music by Górecki, Lutoslawski and Szymanovski as well as the Overture, St. Francis of Assisi by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies. The latter had its London premiere that night.