Bax's “Emperor” reigns in Siena

By Charlotte Gardner, 01 August 2016

Loading, please wait...

See full listing

“a beautifully crisp, sharp, satisfyingly phrased performance”

Reviewed at La Locanda dell'Amorosa, Siena on 30 July 2016

Rossini, Prelude, Theme and Variations

Mendelssohn, Symphony no. 1 in C minor, Op.11

Beethoven, Piano Concerto no. 5 in E flat major "Emperor", Op.73

Brahms, Hungarian Dance no. 5 in F sharp minor (Arr Cziffra)

Jordi Juan-Perez, Clarinet

Alessio Bax, Piano

Southbank Sinfonia

Simon Over, Conductor

A sensitive and stylish new production of Phaedra

Mark Valencia, 15th May

A post-mortem fantasy that’s as compelling as it is confusing.

****1

Ashkenazy and the Southbank Sinfonia

Aaron Davies, 16th October

Vladimir Ashkenazy conducts the Southbank Chamber orchestra in a programme dedicated to the interpretation of classical dance forms.

***11

The Enchanted Island a rich and strange Baroque confection

John Johnston, 5th September

Rather than compiling a Top Ten of Baroque Hits, The Enchanted Island amounts to much more than a gallimaufry of choice gobbets, seasoned with French galenterie.

****1

Impressive Rake’s Progress from British Youth Opera

David Truslove, 4th September

Fine performances from a confident cast brought some terrific singing as well as depth of characterisation in Stravinsky’s only full-length opera.

****1

Devilishly good fun: The Rake's Progress

Benjamin Poore, 17th November

A compelling and energetic debut production from a new opera company in the raddled surroundings of Wilton's Music Hall.

****1

Tragedy undermined at Wilton's

Mark Pullinger, 4th November

Paring the action down to just four singers, La Tragédie de Carmen is the perfect vehicle and venue for a handful of the Royal Opera's Jette Parker Young Artists to strut their stuff.

**111

More reviews...

Charlotte Gardner

Charlotte Gardner is a music critic and journalist regularly to be found in specialist music publications including Gramophone (where she specialises in strings and Baroque), The Strad and Classical Music magazine, and writing concert programme notes for organisations including the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Before turning to writing she spent eight years at the BBC, the final years of which were in News, on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. She holds a Music MA from the University of Cambridge.

Bax's “Emperor” reigns at Tuscany's Incontri in terra di Siena festival