La musique baroque doit-elle être dirigée?

By Christophe Dilys, 04 April 2014

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Reviewed at Philharmonie de Paris: Salle des concerts de la Cité de la musique, Paris on 2 April 2014

Various, The Tempest (Reconstitution of Purcell's, Locke's and Weldon's versions )

Philip Pickett, Conductor

New London Consort

Purcell for the 21st century? Philip Pickett and the New London Consort perform King Arthur

Verity Quaite, 31st May

A deep red hue lights the stage. It is St George’s day and King Arthur’s Britons are about to fight the invading Saxons. Centre stage, four soloists – Saxon priests – are gathered to perform sacred rites to ensure their victory. To the left of the stage a harpsichord plucks out a tune above a bass viol and theorbo, whilst to the right a spotlight falls on Merlin, who relates the story.

***11

No fairies but lots of magic

Jane Shuttleworth, 12th February

A career woman, a femme fatale, a shop girl, an actor, a teacher, an idler, a biker, a priest, a bank clerk and five circus acrobats. These are not the figures that come to mind when we think of Purcell’s Fairy Queen.

****1

Purcell for the 21st century? Philip Pickett and the New London Consort perform King Arthur

Verity Quaite, 31st May

***11

No fairies but lots of magic

Jane Shuttleworth, 12th February

****1

A dream of a Gerontius from Pappano, the LSO and Chorus

Roy Westbrook, 21st April

Giving their 27th performance of the oratorio, the London Symphony Chorus excel as angelic angels and demonic demons.

****1

Benedetti ablaze with the Philharmonia

Christopher Woodley, 19th April

As gifts to the Philarmonia's 80th birthday season, Nicola Benedetti gives a barnstorming account of Elgar's Violin Concerto before Cristian Mӑcelaru gets emotionally drained by La Mer.

*****

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Christophe Dilys

De père français et de mère sud-africaine, Christophe Dilys s'est initié à la musique avec le piano et la trompette. Après avoir étudié la littérature et les sciences politiques, il se consacre aujourd'hui entièrement à la musique à travers la direction et ses collaborations occasionnelles avec France Musique. Il s'est récemment découvert un intérêt pour la musique ancienne en jouant du cornet à bouquin.