Argerich, Dutoit and Russian revelry in Hamburg

By Alexander Hall, 29 June 2019

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“Argerich... still has the technique to deliver those racing double octaves at breakneck speed”

Reviewed at Laeiszhalle: Großer Saal, Hamburg on 28 June 2019

Ravel, Ma mère l'Oye (Mother Goose)

Tchaikovsky, Piano Concerto no. 1 in B flat minor, Op.23

Stravinsky, Les Noces

Martha Argerich, Piano

Nicholas Angelich, Piano

Gabriele Baldocci, Piano

Alexander Mogilevsky, Piano

Stepan Simonian, Piano

Europa Chor Akademie Görlitz

Symphoniker Hamburg – Laeiszhalle Orchester

Charles Dutoit, Conductor

Revolutionary voices in Hamburg with Sylvain Cambreling

Alexander Hall, 25th May

Three aspects of fate were on display in this intriguing combination of the new, the less familiar and the unashamedly popular given by the Hamburg Symphony Orchestra under its chief conductor.

****1

German Romanticism from Argerich, Cambreling and Symphoniker Hamburg

Alexander Hall, 21st November

The octogenarian phenomenon that is Martha Argerich still has something different to say about Schumann's Piano Concerto, while Sylvain Cambreling adopts a bright and breezy approach to Schubert's Ninth Symphony.

***11

A pianist for all seasons: Argerich crowns festival with a debut

Mark Pullinger, 30th June

Martha Argerich gives a rare solo performance in the final programme of her festival, performing movements from Tchaikovsky's The Seasons for the very first time.

Catriona Morison joins Martha Argerich in outstanding performances

Edward Sava-Segal, 20th June

An enjoyable first live stream of the 2021 edition of the Martha Argerich Festival in Hamburg's Laeiszhalle.

****1

Martha Argerich brings magical Ravel to Hamburg

Chris Garlick, 19th February

A performance of Ravel's concerto to savour as a beacon of light and hope in these dark times.

*****

Unexpected promise: Bryce Dessner at the Elbphilharmonie

Sam Johnstone, 20th October

Launching a new “Reflektor” series of short festivals, Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie invited Bryce Dessner to curate two days of concerts.

***11

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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.