A truly revelatory performance of Schumann's Piano Concerto, with freshly bold and uncluttered readings of Mendelssohn's Hebrides Overture and Scottish Symphony from András Schiff and the OAE.
Dame Emma Kirkby and Jakob Lindberg delight with an intimate and varied programme on the theme “Heroines of the Golden Age” at Brighton Early Music Festival.
Denis Matsuev produced fireworks of the right kind in refreshing Tchaikovsky, with taut and dramatic Brahms from Yuri Temirkanov and the Philharmonia Orchestra.
An austere yet emphatic Fidelio, focussed and detailed Schoenberg, followed by an affecting, powerfullly bleak Shostakovich Eighth Symphony from Jusrowski & the LPO.
A subtle and understated performance of Nielsen's Wind Quintet, followed by sophisticated and conversational Mozart from Christian Blackshaw and the Royal Northern Sinfonia Winds.
Andrew Carwood and The Cardinall's Musick bring passion, vitality and grit to Tallis, and première a striking new piece by Cheryl Frances-Hoad in performances of the highest standard.
Dohnányi and the Philharmonia produce rousing Beethoven and Bartók with clarity and bite. Steinbacher and Power present different approaches to Mozart in a spirited and flawless performance.
Joyful Haydn and intense Schoenberg from Julia Fischer and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, joined by Oliver Schnyder for some energetic Mendelssohn.
Unexpected insights and fresh perspectives from period instrument performances by the OAE and Fischer of Smetana, Brahms and Dvořák forced the audience to listen to in a new way.
The Britten Oboe Quartet gave highly engaging and communicative performances of an imaginative and intelligent programme, with cerebral serialism from Elisabeth Lutyens combined with early Elgar, Britten and sublime Mozart to finish.
Triumphant Mahler from Sir Simon Rattle and the Berliner Philharmoniker, strong performances from Kate Royal and Magdalena Kožená, and total commitment and energy from the London Symphony Chorus and the City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus.
The Philhamonia Orchestra on fine form, with characterful Mahler from Markus Werba, and assured dynamic control, enthusiasm and energy from Karl-Heinz Steffens.
Jean-Efflam Bavouzet gave his thought-provoking, violent and percussive take on Bartók, Ravel and Beethoven - intelligent and uncompromising performance at its best.
The Emerson String Quartet played Haydn with poised humour, and brought warmth and strength to Ravel. Their Beethoven had sadness, rage, violence and profound depth.
A great evening of Sibelius – shape, architecture and detail from Osmo Vänskä, excellent ensemble and solo work from the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and an impassioned performance of the Violin Concerto from Alexandra Soumm.
Russian pianist Arcadi Volodos held the audience's attention with live performance at its best, at times eccentric, yet totally captivating and always uplifting.
