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Alexander Hall

Alexander Hall

Alexander Hall divides his time between London and Hamburg, where he had a career in academic administration and teaching. He reviews for Bachtrack and Opera Today, and has also reviewed for Classical Source. A connoisseur of the great orchestras of the world, his musical memories stretch back to Karajan/Berlin Phil, Mravinsky/Leningrad Phil, Bernstein/Vienna Phil, and he has seen most of the great conductors from the past, including Böhm, Klemperer, Kubelik, Ormandy and Szell.

Auteur:Alexander Hall

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Jakub Hrůša, David Butt Philip and the Czech Philharmonic © BBC | Andy Paradise

Belief is everything: the Czech Philharmonic's resounding Glagolitic Mass at the BBC Proms

Par Alexander Hall, 28 août 2024

Jakub Hrůša and his Czech forces give an impressive account of a mass which with its ecclesiastical elements, yet pantheistic spirit and visceral energy points towards a more secular age.

****1

Jakub Hrůša, David Butt Philip and the Czech Philharmonic © BBC | Andy Paradise

Czech Philharmonic's resounding Glagolitic Mass at the BBC Proms

Par Alexander Hall

Kazuki Yamada and the CBSO © BBC | Sisi Burn

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

Par Alexander Hall, 22 août 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.

****1

Kazuki Yamada and the CBSO © BBC | Sisi Burn

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

Par Alexander Hall

Tianyi Lu, Sol Gabetta and the BBC Symphony Orchestra © BBC | Chris Christodoulou

Musical storytelling from Sol Gabetta, Tianyi Lu and the BBCSO at the Proms

Par Alexander Hall, 18 août 2024

Four very pictographic pieces: from early Puccini, through Dukas and Stravinsky to the present-day Spanish composer Francisco Coll. Neatly painted by the performers and with nothing to unduly scare the horses.

***11

Tianyi Lu, Sol Gabetta and the BBC Symphony Orchestra © BBC | Chris Christodoulou

Musical storytelling from Sol Gabetta, Tianyi Lu and the BBCSO

Par Alexander Hall

Alice Coote, Ryan Wigglesworth and the BBC Scottish SO © BBC | Andy Paradise

Alice Coote owns Mahler’s Kindertotenlieder at the BBC Proms

Par Alexander Hall, 25 juillet 2024

Alice Coote imbues every word of Mahler’s deeply affecting song-cycle with expressive intensity. Ryan Wigglesworth and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra struggle to match that achievement in Brahms and Schoenberg.

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Alice Coote, Ryan Wigglesworth and the BBC Scottish SO © BBC | Andy Paradise

Alice Coote owns Mahler’s Kindertotenlieder at the BBC Proms

Par Alexander Hall

Ryan Bancroft conducts the BBC National Orchestra of Wales © BBC | Sisi Burn

Music that eats into you: Schoenberg and Zemlinsky with Ryan Bancroft and BBC NOW at the Proms

Par Alexander Hall, 22 juillet 2024

The Proms are often very clever at recreating musical events from the past. Here, two works originally premiered in 1905 are given a fresh outing by Ryan Bancroft and BBC NOW.

****1

Ryan Bancroft conducts the BBC National Orchestra of Wales © BBC | Sisi Burn

Music that eats into you: Schoenberg and Zemlinsky at the BBC Proms

Par Alexander Hall

Leslie Howard © The Wigmore Hall Trust

A trio of Russian Romantic composers showcased by Leslie Howard at Wigmore Hall

Par Alexander Hall, 16 juillet 2024

In these three works for piano Borodin, Glazunov and Rubinstein all make use of the bell-like tolling which runs through many Russian Romantic compositions like a leitmotif.

***11

Leslie Howard © The Wigmore Hall Trust

A trio of Russian Romantic composers showcased by Leslie Howard

Par Alexander Hall

Ádám Fischer conducts the Hamburg State Philharmonic © Claudia Höhne

Julia Lezhneva and Ádám Fischer impress in Haydn and Mahler at the Elbphilharmonie

Par Alexander Hall, 07 juillet 2024

Sometimes the programme just feels right: a dramatic cantata by Haydn, a “pantomime grotesque” by Bartók and Mahler's Fourth Symphony. Colour and contrasts galore from soloist, conductor and orchestra.

****1

Ádám Fischer conducts the Hamburg State Philharmonic © Claudia Höhne

Julia Lezhneva and Ádám Fischer impress in Haydn and Mahler

Par Alexander Hall

Cristian Măcelaru and Bomsori Kim in rehearsal © Tim Lutton | Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Celebrating 20 years of the RPO at Cadogan Hall with Cristian Măcelaru and Bomsori Kim

Par Alexander Hall, 29 juin 2024

Expectations are not fulfilled in an uneven performance of Mendelssohn's great fiddle concerto, followed by an unidiomatic view of Sibelius' Fifth Symphony.

**111

Cristian Măcelaru and Bomsori Kim in rehearsal © Tim Lutton | Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Celebrating 20 years of the RPO at Cadogan Hall

Par Alexander Hall

Teodor Currentzis © Daniel Dittus

In tempore belli: Britten's War Requiem at the Elbphilharmonie

Par Alexander Hall, 16 juin 2024

As Teodor Currentzis' time in charge of the SWR Symphony Orchestra draws to a close, he bids farewell in a series of nationwide performances of Britten's memorial to the pity of war.

****1

Teodor Currentzis © Daniel Dittus

In tempore belli: Britten's War Requiem at the Elbphilharmonie

Par Alexander Hall

Anne-Sophie Mutter, Fabio Luisi and the Dallas Symphony © Sören L Schirmer

Anne-Sophie Mutter dazzles in John Williams concerto at the Elbphilharmonie

Par Alexander Hall, 11 juin 2024

Fabio Luisi and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra continue their European tour, dropping anchor in Hamburg for Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony and a John Williams concerto written for the star German violinist.

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Anne-Sophie Mutter, Fabio Luisi and the Dallas Symphony © Sören L Schirmer

Mutter dazzles in John Williams concerto at the Elbphilharmonie

Par Alexander Hall

Belcea Quartet and Quatuor Ébène © Wigmore Hall Trust

A game of numbers: Belcea Quartet and Quatuor Ébène play octets by Mendelssohn and Enescu

Par Alexander Hall, 28 mai 2024

Sometimes you just marvel at the level of musical inspiration and the virtuosic quality of the playing. The two octets by Mendelssohn and Enescu make a very satisfying pairing.

****1

Belcea Quartet and Quatuor Ébène © Wigmore Hall Trust

A game of numbers: Belcea Quartet and Quatuor Ébène play octets

Par Alexander Hall

Anna Rakitina © Julia Piven

Unusual Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky from Anna Rakitina and Lise de la Salle

Par Alexander Hall, 17 mai 2024

Russian-Ukrainian conductor Anna Rakitina doesn't quite land on her debut with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, while Lise de la Salle uncovers the lighter side of Rachmaninov.

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Anna Rakitina © Julia Piven

Unusual Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky from Rakitina and de la Salle

Par Alexander Hall

Alice Coote, Michael Tilson Thomas and the London Symphony Orchestra © LSO | Mark Allan

A dispiriting Mahler 3 from MTT and the LSO

Par Alexander Hall, 12 mai 2024

Sometimes you just wish that circumstances had been different, fate kinder. Michael Tilson Thomas with the London Symphony Orchestra was not in full control of Mahler's mighty Third Symphony.

Alice Coote, Michael Tilson Thomas and the London Symphony Orchestra © LSO | Mark Allan

A dispiriting Mahler 3 from MTT and the LSO

Par Alexander Hall

Vladimir Jurowski conducts the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra © Daniel Dittus

A searing Shostakovich 8 from Jurowski and the Berlin Radio Symphony

Par Alexander Hall, 04 mai 2024

One of the glories of the German musical landscape are its radio orchestras. Up there with the finest, Vladimir Jurowski’s Berliners impress in Martinů and Shostakovich, while Christian Tetzlaff forays into Suk.

*****

Vladimir Jurowski conducts the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra © Daniel Dittus

A searing Shostakovich 8 from Jurowski and the Berlin Radio Symphony

Par Alexander Hall

Matthew Gee, in rehearsal for this concert © RPO | Tim Lutton

Excellent orchestral cuisine from Hindoyan and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Par Alexander Hall, 01 mai 2024

What an enterprising programme from Domingo Hindoyan, Matthew Gee and the RPO: a sparkling orchestral piece by Suk, an energising trombone concerto by Tomasi and a much-loved symphony by Dvořák.

****1

Matthew Gee, in rehearsal for this concert © RPO | Tim Lutton

Excellent orchestral cuisine from Hindoyan and the RPO

Par Alexander Hall

Maria Ioudenitch © Andrej Grilc

The music of pain: Maria Ioudenitch, Stanislav Kochanovsky and the Dresden Philharmonic

Par Alexander Hall, 15 avril 2024

There is something peculiarly Russian about the capacity for suffering as exemplified in the music of Shostakovich and Tchaikovsky. Maria Ioudenitch, Stanislav Kochanovsky and the Dresden Philharmonic are excellent interpreters at Cadogan Hall.

****1

Maria Ioudenitch © Andrej Grilc

Maria Ioudenitch, Stanislav Kochanovsky and the Dresden Philharmonic

Par Alexander Hall

NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester © Michael Zapf

Bychkov's uneven Mahler 8 at the Elbphilharmonie

Par Alexander Hall, 11 avril 2024

Doing justice to the vast scale of Mahler's "Symphony of a Thousand" is itself the mightiest of tasks. Semyon Bychkov and his NDR forces only partially succeed.

***11

NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester © Michael Zapf

Bychkov's uneven Mahler 8 at the Elbphilharmonie

Par Alexander Hall

Paavo Järvi and Veronika Eberle © Daniel Dittus

Schubert that doesn't sing? Paavo Järvi and Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen

Par Alexander Hall, 10 avril 2024

Veronika Eberle shows why the Brahms violin concerto is one of the mainstays of the repertory, whereas Paavo Järvi doesn't quite tap into the unique voice of Schubert successfully.

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Paavo Järvi and Veronika Eberle © Daniel Dittus

Schubert that doesn't sing? Paavo Järvi and DKam at the Elbphi

Par Alexander Hall

Khatia Buniatishvili, Jun Märkl and the Taiwan Philharmonic © Tet Tat Keng

Power and personality: Khatia Buniatishvili, Jun Märkl and the Taiwan Philharmonic

Par Alexander Hall, 09 avril 2024

Khatia Buniatishvili may divide opinion, but for sheer visceral excitement she's hard to beat. Jun Märkl on tour with the Taiwan Philharmonic at Hamburg's Elbphilharmonie impresses in milder ways.

****1

Khatia Buniatishvili, Jun Märkl and the Taiwan Philharmonic © Tet Tat Keng

Power and personality: Buniatishvili, Märkl, the Taiwan Philharmonic

Par Alexander Hall

Maxim Emelyanychev conducts the OAE © Zen Grisdale

Tearing down the walls of Jericho: Maxim Emelyanychev and the OAE

Par Alexander Hall, 03 avril 2024

Vibrato-less strings and raw energy from woodwind and brass are not the sounds you would traditionally associate with Glinka, Rachmaninov, Grieg and Sibelius. The OAE invites you to think again.

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Maxim Emelyanychev conducts the OAE © Zen Grisdale

Tearing down the walls of Jericho: Maxim Emelyanychev and the OAE

Par Alexander Hall

Vasily Petrenko © Frances Marshall

Vasily Petrenko delivers an Elgar 2 of rare distinction with the RPO

Par Alexander Hall, 27 mars 2024

Romanticism is the obvious link between Rachmaninov's Third Piano Concerto and Elgar's Second Symphony in this absorbing evening's entertainment supplied by Denis Kozhukhin, the RPO and its Music Director, Vasily Petrenko.

****1

Vasily Petrenko © Frances Marshall

Vasily Petrenko delivers an Elgar 2 of rare distinction with the RPO

Par Alexander Hall

Gemma New © Roy Cox

Ill-starred love in Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev: Gemma New and the London Philharmonic Orchestra

Par Alexander Hall, 22 mars 2024

There is a feast of inspiration for composers in the story of Romeo and Juliet, Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev each responding differently. Randall Goosby provides an excellent contrast in Mozart’s musical sunshine.

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Gemma New © Roy Cox

Ill-starred love in Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev: Gemma New and the LPO

Par Alexander Hall

Eric Lu © The Wigmore Hall Trust, 2024

Eric Lu plumbs the depths at Wigmore Hall

Par Alexander Hall, 10 mars 2024

Eric Lu's Schubert is always special: full of the existential elements that make this composer so rewarding. Other pieces by Bach, Handel, Mendelssohn and Prokofiev make up a varied recital.

****1

Eric Lu © The Wigmore Hall Trust, 2024

Eric Lu plumbs the depths at Wigmore Hall

Par Alexander Hall

Allan Clayton, Louise Alder, Michael Mofidian, Edward Gardner, London Philharmonic Choir & Orchestra © London Philharmonic Orchestra

Let there be lots of light: Haydn's The Creation with Edward Gardner and the LPO

Par Alexander Hall, 02 mars 2024

Take a fine orchestra and an equally fine chorus, together with three contrasting soloists, and for content the greatest story ever: all the ingredients to bring alive Haydn's The Creation.

****1

Allan Clayton, Louise Alder, Michael Mofidian, Edward Gardner, London Philharmonic Choir & Orchestra © London Philharmonic Orchestra

Let there be lots of light: Haydn's The Creation with the LPO

Par Alexander Hall

Zlatomir Fung, Shiyeon Sung and the RPO © Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Stylish Haydn, flinty Schumann from Shiyeon Sung, Zlatomir Fung and the RPO

Par Alexander Hall, 21 février 2024

A young cellist impresses in Haydn's C major concerto, but the same key in Schumann's Second Symphony exposes weaknesses in the conductor's approach.

**111

Zlatomir Fung, Shiyeon Sung and the RPO © Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Stylish Haydn, flinty Schumann from the RPO

Par Alexander Hall

Michelle DeYoung, Gerald Finley, Dávid Csizmár and Alan Gilbert © Andy Spyra

A searingly powerful Duke Bluebeard's Castle at the Elbphilharmonie

Par Alexander Hall, 09 février 2024

Alan Gilbert and his NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester partner first Igor Levit, and then Michelle DeYoung and Gerald Finley, in a night of outstanding music-making devoted to the music of Bartók.

*****

Michelle DeYoung, Gerald Finley, Dávid Csizmár and Alan Gilbert © Andy Spyra

A searingly powerful Duke Bluebeard's Castle at the Elbphilharmonie

Par Alexander Hall

Valeriy Sokolov and Stanislav Kochanovsky © Andy Spyra

Disappointing Bartók from Stanislav Kochanovsky and the NDR Radiophilharmonie

Par Alexander Hall, 08 février 2024

Without bite and grit, Bartók's music loses some of its uniqueness. Kochanovsky and his Hannover players still have some way to go, but Valeriy Sokolov delivers an impassioned Second Violin Concerto.

**111

Valeriy Sokolov and Stanislav Kochanovsky © Andy Spyra

Disappointing Bartók from Kochanovsky and the NDR Radiophilharmonie

Par Alexander Hall

Dima Slobodeniouk © LSO | Mark Allan

Glorious guests at the LSO's feasting-table: Leif Ove Andsnes and Dima Slobodeniouk

Par Alexander Hall, 04 février 2024

Musical partnerships do not always work, but they did here in Beethoven's final piano concerto. Dima Slobodeniouk displayed once again his credentials as a compelling interpreter of Sibelius.

****1

Dima Slobodeniouk © LSO | Mark Allan

Glorious guests at the LSO's feasting-table: Andsnes and Slobodeniouk

Par Alexander Hall

Martin James Bartlett © Marc Mitchell

A crowd-pleasing programme from Bihlmaier, Bartlett and the LPO

Par Alexander Hall, 27 janvier 2024

Overture, concerto, symphony: nothing to scare the horses here, nor in works by three major composers, Wagner, Mozart and Beethoven. Nothing world-shaking either in solid but often one-dimensional performances.

***11

Martin James Bartlett © Marc Mitchell

A crowd-pleasing programme from Bihlmaier, Bartlett and the LPO

Par Alexander Hall

Sakari Oramo © BBC | Sarah Louise Bennett (December 2023)

Musical passports issued by Oramo, Frang and the BBC Symphony Orchestra

Par Alexander Hall, 20 janvier 2024

Each of the three pieces by Andrew Norman, Stravinsky and Sibelius had an unlocking principle at its heart. Sakari Oramo, his soloist Vilde Frang and his BBC players proved powerful advocates.

****1

Sakari Oramo © BBC | Sarah Louise Bennett (December 2023)

Musical passports issued by Oramo, Frang and the BBCSO

Par Alexander Hall

Gianandrea Noseda conducts the London Symphony Orchestra © LSO | Mark Allan

A rare outing for Prokofiev 4 with Noseda and the London Symphony Orchestra

Par Alexander Hall, 10 décembre 2023

Gianandrea Noseda’s awareness of colour, texture and detail repays dividends in the symphony, whereas Simon Trpčeski’s absence of muscle and full-blooded Romantic sentiment does Brahms no favours in the concerto.

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Gianandrea Noseda conducts the London Symphony Orchestra © LSO | Mark Allan

A rare outing for Prokofiev 4 with Noseda and the LSO

Par Alexander Hall

Tianyi Lu © Antony Potts

Tianyi Lu commands attention in Scheherazade with the London Philharmonic

Par Alexander Hall, 06 décembre 2023

Tianyi Lu draws on the individual and collective virtuosity of the LPO to make an impressive debut in Rimsky-Korsakov, while Tom Borrow underplays the imperial qualities of Beethoven's “Emperor” Concerto.

***11

Tianyi Lu © Antony Potts

Tianyi Lu commands attention in Scheherazade with the LPO

Par Alexander Hall

Alpesh Chauhan conducts the Symphony Orchestra of India © TradePhotographer

When East meets West: the Symphony Orchestra of India in London Town

Par Alexander Hall, 30 novembre 2023

Visiting orchestras often bring something special with them: here it was a newly commissioned triple concerto for classical Indian instruments. Alpesh Chauhan impresses in Stravinsky, less so in Richard Strauss.

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Alpesh Chauhan conducts the Symphony Orchestra of India © TradePhotographer

When East meets West: the Symphony Orchestra of India in London Town

Par Alexander Hall

Joan Armatrading and Chineke! Orchestra © Chuko Cribb

Chineke! gives world premiere of Joan Armatrading's First Symphony

Par Alexander Hall, 24 novembre 2023

Chineke! Orchestra likes to do things differently and this concert, conducted by Andrew Grams, pairs symphonies by Tchaikovsky and the singer-songwriter-guitarist Armatrading.

***11

Joan Armatrading and Chineke! Orchestra © Chuko Cribb

Chineke! gives world premiere of Joan Armatrading's First Symphony

Par Alexander Hall

Daniil Trifonov © Sebastian Madej

More Rachmaninov from the fabulous Philadelphians at the Elbphilharmonie

Par Alexander Hall, 02 novembre 2023

Yannick Nézet-Séguin and The Philadelphia Orchestra don't quite have the measure of Rachmaninov's dark First Symphony, but Daniil Trifonov once more dazzles in the Paganini Variations.

****1

Daniil Trifonov © Sebastian Madej

More Rachmaninov from the fabulous Philadelphians on tour

Par Alexander Hall

Yannick Nézet-Séguin and the Philadelphia Orchestra © Daniel Dittus

The Philadelphia Orchestra pays homage to Rachmaninov at the Elbphilharmonie

Par Alexander Hall, 01 novembre 2023

In the first of two all-Rachmaninov programmes, The Philadelphia Orchestra, its Music Director, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, and Daniil Trifonov show why together they are some of the hottest property on the planet.

*****

Yannick Nézet-Séguin and the Philadelphia Orchestra © Daniel Dittus

Philadelphia Orchestra pays homage to Rachmaninov at the Elphi

Par Alexander Hall

Matthew Truscott directs the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment © Zen Grisdale

Nothing but Haydn: the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment deliver with panache

Par Alexander Hall, 25 octobre 2023

Who needs a conductor? The OAE under the direction of Matthew Truscott reveal the delightful range and character of Haydn, from his symphonic beginnings to the very end.

****1

Matthew Truscott directs the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment © Zen Grisdale

Nothing but Haydn: the OAE deliver with panache

Par Alexander Hall

Sir Antonio Pappano conducts the London Symphony Orchestra © LSO | Mark Allan

An Adès concerto steals the show: Gerstein, Pappano and the LSO

Par Alexander Hall, 12 octobre 2023

Kirill Gerstein, together with Sir Antonio Pappano and the LSO, delivers a coruscating performance of what is rapidly becoming a 21st-century classic, framed by Bartók and Beethoven.

***11

Sir Antonio Pappano conducts the London Symphony Orchestra © LSO | Mark Allan

An Adès concerto steals the show: Gerstein, Pappano and the LSO

Par Alexander Hall

Alice Sara Ott © LSO | Mark Allan

Pianistic delights in Liszt from Alice Sara Ott with Pappano and the LSO

Par Alexander Hall, 04 octobre 2023

A world premiere from Hannah Kendall, a rarely performed work by Liszt and one of Strauss' glittering tone poems make up Pappano's first concert as the LSO's Chief Conductor Designate.

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Alice Sara Ott © LSO | Mark Allan

Pianistic delights in Liszt from Alice Sara Ott and the LSO

Par Alexander Hall

Johan Dalene, Edward Gardner and the London Philharmonic Orchestra © London Philharmonic Orchestra

Prevailing westerly winds for Edward Gardner and the London Philharmonic

Par Alexander Hall, 27 septembre 2023

Not much of a flicker in the needle of the barometer for orchestra and conductor in Brahms, but Johan Dalene charms the ear in a serene outing of Sibelius’ Violin Concerto.

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Johan Dalene, Edward Gardner and the London Philharmonic Orchestra © London Philharmonic Orchestra

Prevailing westerly winds for Edward Gardner and the LPO

Par Alexander Hall

Edward Gardner conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra © London Philharmonic Orchestra

From some other world: the LPO's Mahler 2 with Edward Gardner

Par Alexander Hall, 23 septembre 2023

Not with a whimper but a bang! The LPO's new season, with Principal Conductor Edward Gardner in charge, gets off to an impressive start with Mahler's “Resurrection” Symphony.

****1

Edward Gardner conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra © London Philharmonic Orchestra

From some other world: the LPO's Mahler 2 with Edward Gardner

Par Alexander Hall

Alexander Tsymbalyuk (Boris Godunov) and the Chor der Hamburgischen Staatsoper © Brinkhoff | Mögenburg

Staatsoper Hamburg's new Boris Godunov traverses Russian history

Par Alexander Hall, 16 septembre 2023

Opening the new opera season, Kent Nagano powerfully directs Mussorgsky's great psychodrama about a famous tsar, marred only by Frank Castorf's visually confusing and symbolically overweighted production.

****1

Alexander Tsymbalyuk (Boris Godunov) and the Chor der Hamburgischen Staatsoper © Brinkhoff | Mögenburg

Staatsoper Hamburg's new Boris Godunov traverses Russian history

Par Alexander Hall

Anna Vinnitskaya © Marco Borggreve

Two Sergeis with Vinnitskaya and Valčuha at the Elbphilharmonie

Par Alexander Hall, 14 septembre 2023

Rachmaninov and Prokofiev not only shared a first name. In their individual ways they helped define Russianness too. Anna Vinnitskaya, Juraj Valčuha and the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester are here the exponents.

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Anna Vinnitskaya © Marco Borggreve

Two Sergeis with Vinnitskaya and Valčuha at the Elbphilharmonie

Par Alexander Hall

Semyon Bychkov © BBC | Chris Christodoulou

A smilingly serene Bruckner 8 from Bychkov and the BBCSO at the Proms

Par Alexander Hall, 04 septembre 2023

Semyon Bychkov guides the BBC Symphony Orchestra, on magisterial form, through the hills and valleys of Bruckner's last completed and longest symphony.

****1

Semyon Bychkov © BBC | Chris Christodoulou

A smilingly serene Bruckner 8 from Bychkov and the BBCSO at the Proms

Par Alexander Hall

Aaron Azunda Akugbo and Chineke! Orchestra © BBC | Mark Allan

A mixed bag of treats from Anthony Parnther and Chineke! at the BBC Proms

Par Alexander Hall, 01 septembre 2023

No hard hitters or big beasts in this colourful potpourri from the remarkable Chineke! Orchestra, conducted by Anthony Parnther, but a chance to savour both the unknown and the familiar.

****1

Aaron Azunda Akugbo and Chineke! Orchestra © BBC | Mark Allan

A mixed bag of treats from Chineke! at the BBC Proms

Par Alexander Hall

Sir Simon Rattle conducts the London Symphony Orchestra © BBC | Mark Allan

Rattle says farewell to London with Poulenc and Mahler

Par Alexander Hall, 27 août 2023

Sir Simon Rattle ends his tenure as Music Director of the LSO with a cry for liberty and arguably the greatest of all farewell symphonies.

****1

Sir Simon Rattle conducts the London Symphony Orchestra © BBC | Mark Allan

Rattle says farewell to London with Poulenc and Mahler

Par Alexander Hall

European Union Youth Orchestra, Manfred Honeck, Benjamin Grosvenor © Daniel Dittus

Strong contrasts from Honeck, Grosvenor and the EU Youth Orchestra at the Elbphilharmonie

Par Alexander Hall, 17 août 2023

No summer hols for the European Union Youth Orchestra as they tour European lands. With Benjamin Grosvenor as soloist and Manfred Honeck at the helm, they take on MacMillan, Prokofiev and Shostakovich in Hamburg's iconic hall.

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European Union Youth Orchestra, Manfred Honeck, Benjamin Grosvenor © Daniel Dittus

Strong contrasts from Honeck and the EUYO at the Elphi

Par Alexander Hall

Rudolf Buchbinder © Daniel Dittus

Blistering Beethoven from Buchbinder, trenchant Järvi Tchaikovsky at the Elbphilharmonie

Par Alexander Hall, 16 août 2023

Sometimes artists surprise, but in a wholly positive way: nothing remotely bland about Buchbinder's approach to Beethoven's C minor concerto and a Tchaikovsky 1 streets ahead of Järvi's recent recording.

*****

Rudolf Buchbinder © Daniel Dittus

Blistering Buchbinder, trenchant Järvi at the Elbphilharmonie

Par Alexander Hall

Elim Chan and the BBC Symphony Orchestra © BBC | Sisi Burns

A fine partnership in Beethoven between Jan Lisiecki and Elim Chan at the Proms

Par Alexander Hall, 25 juillet 2023

Working with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Elim Chan and her soloist Jan Lisiecki see very much eye-to-eye in Beethoven, with the conductor taking a left-of-field approach in Elgar.

***11

Elim Chan and the BBC Symphony Orchestra © BBC | Sisi Burns

A fine partnership between Jan Lisiecki and Elim Chan at the Proms

Par Alexander Hall

Bomsori and the BBC Philharmonic © BBC | Chris Christodoulou

Bihlmaier and the BBC Philharmonic serve up bowls of folksiness

Par Alexander Hall, 17 juillet 2023

Folk-derived pieces dominate this programme, with Anja Bihlmaier and the BBC Philharmonic traversing Coleridge-Taylor, Brahms and Bartók, and the latest Asian shooting star Bomsori assaying that concerto by Bruch.

***11

Bomsori and the BBC Philharmonic © BBC | Chris Christodoulou

Bihlmaier and the BBC Philharmonic serve up bowls of folksiness

Par Alexander Hall