Bachtrack top ten: Felix Mendelssohn

Felix Mendelssohn, aquarelle by James Warren Childe (1830)

By Mark Pullinger, 03 February 2023

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“gossamer fairy magic and the clod-hopping ‘rude mechanicals’”

Lawrence Dunn, 15th January

The young Belgian conductor has had a long association with the Flanders Symphony – and this January he takes the chief’s baton from departing Kristiina Poska, who reaffirmed the orchestra’s crisp, classical sound.

From the first bar: Bomsori journeys with Seoul Philharmonic

SangKwon Lee, 1st October

The Korean violinist talks about making her debut with the Seoul Philharmonic, and heading to the US on a tour which includes the orchestra’s first Carnegie Hall appearance for 18 years.

Making music humanly: Gautier Capuçon

Charlotte Gardner, 7th February

Ahead of an appearance in Lugano in March, the busy French cellist talks about his relationships with Martha Argerich, his brother Renaud, and mentoring young musicians with the Fondation Gautier Capuçon.

The storyteller: Beatrice Rana

Peter Quantrill, 13th September

In a new recital at LAC Lugano, the Italian pianist pairs two reclusive composers, Brahms and Ravel, as unlikely companions. She talks about how musicians are artisans and storytellers.

Darkness and light in Mendelssohn: Daniel Lozakovich

Peter Quantrill, 23rd March

Youthful violinist Daniel Lozakovich explains his personal approach to Felix Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, its tragedy and intimacy – and breaking out of routines.

Janine Jansen leads a feast of Stradivari at Cadogan Hall

Bachtrack, 30th November

Virtuosity and grace meet with impeccable provenance and immense value – in an all-Stradivarius concert at Cadogan Hall this December.

Mark Pullinger

Mark has been a Bachtrack editor since 2014. He is also an experienced critic, writing hundreds of reviews for the site, as well as a freelancer writing for other magazines and newspapers. He also writes programme notes and blogs on Substack. Mark has a particular passion for the operas of Verdi as well as Russian and French repertoire. Outside the concert hall and opera house, Mark enjoys cooking and travel and is probably at his happiest let loose in a French patisserie or a Viennese coffee house.